Kenya explores strategic collaboration to strengthen cancer prevention and care
Strengthening cancer prevention, early detection and access to quality treatment remains a key priority under the Government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale held high-level discussions with senior executives from Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), led by Business Unit Director for Sub-Saharan Africa Andrie Vorster, to explore strategic collaboration across Kenya’s cancer care continuum.
With Kenya recording approximately 44,000 new cancer cases annually, the discussions focused on practical interventions to strengthen prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and long-term patient care. The engagement highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in expanding access to affordable, quality and innovative cancer services.
Key areas explored included strengthening cervical cancer prevention through expanded HPV vaccination, public awareness and community outreach. The meeting also discussed mobile cancer screening services, expansion of diagnostic capacity, local research, health workforce development and technology transfer to improve patient outcomes.
The discussions further examined sustainable approaches to improving access to advanced cancer therapies, including pembrolizumab (Keytruda), within Kenya’s public healthcare system.
Hon. Duale noted that the engagement complements ongoing health reforms under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Through the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Government continues to expand access to preventive, diagnostic and treatment services while reducing financial barriers to cancer care.
Kenya also continues to align its national response with the World Health Organization’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy and the 90-70-90 targets aimed at accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health concern.
The Ministry of Health and MSD reaffirmed their commitment to advancing collaboration through innovation, strategic investment and technical expertise to strengthen Kenya’s cancer care system and expand timely access to prevention, early diagnosis and quality treatment.
Present were Dr. Omar Albush, Director of Health Sector Coordination; Dr. Elias Melly, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya; Dr. Joan-Paula Bor, Head of the National Cancer Control Programme; and Dr. Wesley Mugambi from the National Immunization Programme.