In a significant show of commitment to improving cancer care in Kenya, Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale today visited the Garissa Regional Cancer Centre, one of only three specialized cancer treatment facilities in the country.
The other two centers are located in Mombasa and Nakuru, forming a critical triad in the nation’s fight against cancer—a growing public health challenge.
During the visit, CS Duale toured the facility, inspecting its state-of-the-art equipment and reaffirming the government’s dedication to ensuring that patients receive high-quality and timely cancer treatment.
The Garissa centre serves as a vital healthcare hub for northeastern Kenya, providing services not only to Garissa residents but also to patients from Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Kitui, Isiolo, Lamu, and even across the border in Somalia.
To better understand the operational realities of the centre, Hon. Duale chaired a meeting with staff, focusing on identifying and addressing challenges faced by medical personnel in their daily delivery of cancer care services.
The centre currently handles approximately 40 patients a day, including about 10 new cases. Significantly, 90% of these patients are registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), which fully covers their treatment. This marks a transformative shift in Kenya’s public health landscape, as the SHA’s expanded oncology package continues to ease the financial burden on cancer patients and their families.
Hon. Duale was accompanied by Dr. Joan-Paula Bor of the Ministry of Health’s National Cancer Control Program and Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane Muhumed, underscoring a unified front in enhancing cancer care services in the region.
The visit highlights ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Health to decentralize specialized medical services and ensure equitable access to life-saving treatments across the country.