Experts push for urgent action to strengthen Kenya’s cancer response

Experts push for urgent action to strengthen Kenya’s cancer response Kenya continues to grapple with an alarming rise in cancer cases, with more than 45,000 new infections and over 30,000 deaths reported annually. Health experts are now calling for immediate and coordinated interventions to curb the growing burden of the disease and improve the quality of life for patients. During a regional training on breast cancer imaging organized by the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), specialists from across the region raised concerns over limited cancer-care infrastructure, inadequate capacity building, and insufficient funding. The experts emphasized the urgent need to strengthen cancer care systems through increased investment in modern diagnostic and treatment technology, expansion of specialized training for health professionals, and improved public awareness campaigns to tackle the root causes of cancer. They also called for the establishment of more cancer treatment and research centers, as well as national and regional cancer registries to provide reliable data for informed policy making and effective interventions. Led by Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, and IAEA representative Miriam Mikhail, the forum underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in developing sustainable cancer control strategies across Africa. At the institutional level, KUTRRH was recognized for its efforts to improve cancer care, though experts noted that more investment is required in equipment and staff training to enhance service delivery and reduce patient waiting times. The stakeholders rooted for a collective commitment to strengthen partnerships, research, and innovation to accelerate progress in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment across the region.