Duale unveils low-cost breast cancer treatment initiative in Kenya
This follows a new partnership between the Ministry of Health and Roche East Africa, officially launched by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Breast cancer patients in Kenya are set to benefit from a significant reduction in treatment costs, with charges per session expected to drop from Ksh120,000 to Sh40,000.
This follows a new partnership between the Ministry of Health and Roche East Africa, officially launched by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
The collaboration, which also involves the Ministry’s Social Health Authority, is part of ongoing efforts to ease the financial burden on patients and advance the country’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
Under the agreement, patients will pay a fixed fee of Sh40,000 per session without any additional costs.
The subsidized treatment will be available across SHA-accredited facilities, including public, faith-based, and select private hospitals, to ensure broad and fair access.
Beyond lowering costs, the partnership will also enhance access to essential cancer medicines and diagnostic tools, offer training for healthcare workers in breast and cervical cancer care, and support expanded screening and early detection services to improve treatment outcomes.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system, highlighting efforts to integrate digital solutions in the fight against counterfeit medicines and unlicensed health practitioners.
Speaking during the launch of a new partnership with Roche East Africa, Duale said the initiative goes beyond lowering the cost of breast cancer treatment, it’s a broader effort to save lives, promote fairness, and restore trust in the country’s health services.
The event brought together several top officials, including Roche East Africa General Manager Jacqueline Wambua, Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni, Social Health Authority Chairperson Abdi Mohamed, Acting SHA CEO Robert Ingasira, Pharmacy and Poisons Board CEO Fred Siyoi, and KMPDC CEO David Kariuki.
The announcement came just a day after Duale addressed concerns over the breakdown of the LINAC cancer treatment machine at Kenyatta National Hospital.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, he apologised to affected patients and assured the public that the Ministry is expediting the acquisition of a replacement.
He added that the hospital’s cobalt radiotherapy unit is still in use and that patient referrals are ongoing to ensure no interruptions in treatment.
