By Faith Anene, Nairobi
The Social Health Authority (SHA) has pledged to make cancer treatment more affordable and accessible for all citizens as the country transitions from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the new Social Health Insurance (SHI) scheme.
In a statement released on Thursday, SHA underscored its commitment to ensuring that no Kenyan is forced to forego lifesaving care due to financial hardship.
“The Authority recognizes the physical, emotional, and financial challenges faced by patients and their families. Our focus is to ensure that Kenyans receive the care they need without undue financial burden,” the statement read.
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya after infectious and cardiovascular diseases. According to the Ministry of Health, more than 47,000 new cases are reported annually, with breast, cervical, and prostate cancers among the most common. Treatment is expensive, often forcing families to deplete savings, sell assets, or fundraise to meet hospital bills.
The introduction of the SHI scheme is seen as a critical opportunity to expand oncology benefits and reduce out-of-pocket spending.
SHA confirmed that it had received a memorandum from the Kenya Network of Cancer Organizations (KENCO), a coalition representing patients and advocacy groups. The memorandum contained recommendations on how the government can strengthen cancer coverage under the new scheme.
The authority said it would hold a meeting with KENCO representatives next week to deliberate on the proposals and explore ways to make cancer services more patient-centred and sustainable.
As part of reforms, the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP), which was gazetted earlier this year has been tasked with reviewing oncology benefits.
In April, SHA increased the oncology package limit from KSh400,000 to KSh550,000, reflecting its intention to gradually expand coverage in line with treatment costs.
The authority said future revisions would be guided by clinical evidence, patient needs, and financial sustainability, adding that the package will be reviewed regularly to keep up with advances in cancer treatment.
To address the high cost of cancer medicines, SHA is partnering with hospitals, professional associations, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Among its flagship collaborations is one with Roche, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, which cut the price of Herceptin, a drug used in treating HER2-positive breast cancer, from KSh120, 000 to KSh40,000 per dose.
Such price reductions are expected to significantly ease the burden for patients, particularly women who make up the majority of cancer cases in the country.
While patient advocates have welcomed SHA’s announcements, they caution that implementation will be key. Many Kenyans living in rural areas still lack access to specialised cancer treatment centres, with services concentrated in Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kisumu.
Nonetheless, SHA insists it is committed to continuous improvement and inclusivity in shaping its policies.
“The Social Health Authority remains open to feedback and committed to continuous improvement to ensure no Kenyan is left behind in accessing lifesaving care,” it said.
