Breast Cancer Patients To Benefit From Major Drop In Treatment Costs

Breast cancer patients in Kenya will soon pay much less for treatment following a new partnership between the Ministry of Health and Roche East Africa.

The cost per treatment session is set to fall significantly from Sh120,000 to Sh40,000, thanks to this landmark agreement that aims to make cancer care more affordable and accessible.

The Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, officially launched the partnership, which will be implemented through the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA).

This collaboration supports Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals by offering greater financial protection to cancer patients, especially those battling breast cancer—one of the country’s leading non-communicable diseases.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, patients will not have to make any co-payments, and the subsidized treatment will be available at all SHA-accredited hospitals.

These include public, private, and faith-based facilities, ensuring that people across the country can access quality cancer care regardless of their financial status.

The agreement also focuses on improving the wider cancer care system.

It will enhance access to essential medicines and diagnostic services, support the training of healthcare workers in the treatment of breast and cervical cancer, and boost screening and early detection efforts.

These measures aim to improve survival rates by ensuring early intervention and better patient outcomes.

Speaking at the launch event, CS Duale emphasized the government’s broader efforts to reform the health sector.

He noted that digital tools are being introduced to fight the sale of fake medicines and to eliminate unqualified healthcare providers.

“This partnership is not only about reducing treatment costs; it’s about saving lives, promoting equity, and reinforcing the integrity of our healthcare system,” Duale said.