KENCO Urges Immediate Measures to Protect Cancer and NCD Care During SHA Transition

As the world observes this year’s World Cancer Day, the Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations (KENCO) has issued an urgent appeal to the Government of Kenya to address critical disruptions in cancer and non-communicable disease (NCD) services following the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA).

KENCO, an umbrella body for civil society organizations involved in cancer control in Kenya—including the Cancer Survivors Association of Kenya (CSAK), the Health NGOs Network (HENNET), and the NCD Alliance Kenya (NCDAK)—expressed deep concern over the severe impact this transition has had on cancer patients and individuals living with NCDs. The organizations warn that these disruptions are endangering thousands of lives by creating barriers to timely and affordable treatment.

One of the most urgent concerns is the shortage of life-saving cancer drugs, particularly Herceptin (trastuzumab), pertuzumab, and letrozole, which are essential for treating HER2-positive breast cancer and other cancers. Patients seeking treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) have been unable to access these medications, forcing them to turn to private facilities where a single dose of Herceptin costs KES 100,000. The high cost of alternative treatment is proving unaffordable for many patients, leading to delays in care and worsening health outcomes.

Beyond drug shortages, many patients have found themselves denied access to cancer and NCD services that were previously covered by NHIF. Despite the government’s assurances that the transition to SHA would be seamless, numerous reports indicate that patients are being turned away from hospitals or forced to pay out-of-pocket for critical services. The lack of clear communication about SHA’s oncology and NCD coverage has left both patients and healthcare providers confused, leading to uncertainty about what treatments are covered and, in some cases, the denial of necessary care.

The transition has also been marred by technical failures in SHA’s registration and pre-authorization processes. Patients are experiencing delays in approval for treatments due to system errors and inefficiencies, creating life-threatening interruptions in their treatment plans. Furthermore, SHA’s budget allocation for chronic illnesses remains insufficient, raising concerns that long-term care for cancer and NCD patients will remain underfunded, leaving thousands vulnerable to financial hardships.

Another major concern is the severe delays in radiotherapy treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital. Patients requiring urgent radiotherapy are being scheduled months after their diagnosis, significantly reducing the effectiveness of their treatment and increasing the risk of disease progression. The lack of adequate PET-CT scan facilities is also delaying cancer diagnoses, as patients at KUTRRH face long wait times for scans and results, despite the urgency of these tests in determining treatment plans.

Adding to the distress, patients who had prepaid NHIF premiums before the transition to SHA are now being told that their payments have not been carried over, forcing them to pay afresh under SHA before they can access treatment. This unexpected financial burden has further complicated an already difficult situation for cancer and NCD patients.

In response to these pressing challenges, KENCO and its partner organizations are calling for immediate government intervention to ensure the uninterrupted provision of cancer and NCD services. They are demanding that essential drugs like Herceptin be immediately reinstated in public hospitals and that SHA’s coverage for cancer treatment be expanded to ensure patients receive full treatment cycles without financial strain. The organizations are also urging the government to increase funding for chronic illness care, optimize radiotherapy services, and invest in additional diagnostic infrastructure, including more PET-CT scan machines.

To address these issues, KENCO has called for an urgent meeting with SHA leadership, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions that will prevent further disruptions in cancer and NCD care. They warned that if swift action is not taken, thousands of lives will be at risk, as patients are left without the care they need to survive.

Reporting by James Mutua 


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