The Kenyan Network of Cancer Organisations (KENCO) has called on the Social Health Authority (SHA) to urgently implement measures to ensure that cancer patients continue accessing services at their preferred facilities without interruption during the transition period.
KENCO Board Chairperson Elo Mapelu said that delays or lack of approvals for various cancer treatments have created significant gaps in patient care explaining that many cancer patients, who are unable to afford the high out-of-pocket costs are being forced to forgo essential treatments.
“This could lead to dire consequences, particularly for those whose conditions worsen without timely medical intervention. Furthermore, patients are facing challenges in booking procedures at health facilities. They are being turned away and advised to return later, often after a week, or to wait until SHA is operational,” said Mapelu.
During the period that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is transitioning into SHA, Mapelu said that the government needs to ensure continuity of cancer services seeing that the cancer burden in Kenya remains a significant public health concern, ranking as the third leading cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases.
“According to Globocan 2022, an estimated 44,700 new cancer cases are diagnosed annually, and 29,300 individuals succumb to the disease. The most prevalent cancer types include breast, cervical, prostate, esophageal, and colorectal cancers, affecting both men and women across all ages,” he explained.
He added that early detection is key to more effective and affordable cancer treatment with better outcomes.
“Unfortunately, in Kenya, 70-80% of cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, reducing the chances for curative treatment. Delays in accessing care significantly impact patient outcomes, making timely and affordable cancer services critical. Many cancer patients have depended on the NHIF to cover their treatment costs,” said Mapelu.
He disclosed that patients are being turned away since the transition to SHA on October 1st, despite assurances that the process would be seamless-particularly for vital services such as dialysis and cancer care highlighting that KENCO has received numerous reports of patients being denied services or asked to pay out-of-pocket for their cancer treatment.
“Spot checks across major public facilities confirmed that many cancer patients were forced to leave without receiving care. This disruption leaves cancer patients, many of whom rely on NHIF/SHA for their treatment, exposed to disease progression, which can have severe consequences,” said Mapelu.
He added that the situation has caused confusion for patients who are uncertain about the current state of services as he called for provision of adequate information on oncology services to address the significant information gap regarding the new Social Health Authority scheme.
“We urge the SHA leadership to provide clear, comprehensive, and accessible information on the new scheme. This should include details about the premiums, payment methods, and the specific services and levels of care covered across the cancer continuum, as well as how different funds within SHA apply,” said Mapelu.
He explained that such information will help cancer patients plan their care and manage premium payments.
“We call on SHA to expedite the release of this critical information while at the same time calling on the government to expedite and finalize contractual agreements with health facilities, ensuring they can provide uninterrupted services to patients in need,” insisted Mapelu.
He highlighted that it is critical that these processes are streamlined to prevent further delays in access to care.
“KENCO is dedicated to a unified approach to cancer control,” assured Mapelu.
The Kenyan Network of Cancer Organisations is the national umbrella body representing over 60 cancer civil society organisations active in various aspects of cancer control across Kenya.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
