Concentration of cancer care services around the capital in Kenya is making it difficult for 78% of Kenyans living in rural areas to access necessary care.
In an article published by the Transitional Global Health blog and The Guardian written by Jordan Jarvis and Duncan Matheka, the authors indicate that prevention and screening has just not been available or accessible to most people in Kenya. Most cases are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, which is partly due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
A faulty national health insurance plan does not allow patients to afford medical services alongside poorly equipped hospitals, a low doctor to patient ration and lack of access to affordable drugs. These factors lead to late presentation, complications and meager patient follow-up.
Lack of awareness and accurate information about cancer makes screening rare leading to cancer detection when it is too late to treat effectively.
Several cultural myths about cancers that exist form part of the critical obstacles to expanded cancer control and care in Kenya especially when it comes to early detection; one of them being cancer is a curse from ancestors and elders.
Reduction of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk factors including physical inactivity, tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diet is insufficiently addressed by the Ministry of Health and other policy makers with only 5% of the budget being spent on health instead of the recommended 15%.
Robust prevention policies will result not only in lives saved in the long term, but also in long-term economic gains.
In 2012, Kenya established a National Cancer Prevention and Control Act. The Act, which stipulates the establishment of a National Cancer Institute among other important advances to counter this disease in Kenya, is yet to become operational.
Kenya is currently undergoing decentralisation of government functions, including healthcare, which means that there is a renewed opportunity to integrate cancer care into other regions of the country and build an overall healthier Kenya
For both healthcare devolution and expanded care for cancer, there is a push to build private-public partnerships.
The authors say that both public and private healthcare providers must have a seat at the policy table and work together, as multi-sectoral action will have the biggest impact within communities. Yet, the need to safeguard public health must be emphasised and the terms of such partnerships critically evaluated and monitored.
Jordan Jarvis is a global public health researcher based at the African Medical and Research Foundation. Follow @JordanDJarvis on Twitter.
Duncan M Matheka, is a Kenyan medical doctor and public health researcher. Follow @duncoh1 on Twitter
You can read a longer version of this published in The Guardian or read a comprehensive one at Transnational Global Health blog.
Jordan Jarvis, is a Global Public Health Researcher based in Kenya’s office of African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), and a member of the Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network in Kenya.
Duncan M. Matheka, is a Kenyan Medical Doctor and Public Health Researcher, and the African Representative of Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network
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