On September 18th and 19th, Kabarak University and the International Cancer Institute (ICI) co-hosted the 15th International Research Conference, drawing attention to Kenya’s urgent need for improved cancer care. The conference, themed “Advancing Access to Quality Cancer Care and Control,” brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss strategies for combating the rising incidence and mortality rates of cancer in the country.
The event was officially opened by the Vice Chancellor of Kabarak University, Prof. Henry Kiplangat, PHD, MBS, OGW, who welcomed the distinguished attendees. He highlighted the grim cancer statistics from 2022, where 44,726 new cases and 29,317 deaths were reported in Kenya. In response to this crisis, Prof. Kiplangat announced the university’s Master of Pharmacy in Oncology Pharmacy program, the first of its kind in Kenya. Developed in collaboration with the ICI, the program is designed to produce specialized, “practice-ready” oncology pharmacists to meet national and global demand.
The conference featured prominent speakers, including keynote speaker Dr. Mansoor Saleh, MD, Founding Chair of the Department of Hematology-Oncology at Aga Khan University and the guest speaker, Dr. Elias Melly, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), who was represented by Ms. Emily Barsito, Head of Strategy, Planning, Partnerships, and Resource Mobilization, as she presented Dr Elias Melly’s speech.
In his speech, the CEO stated that the conference was more than just a forum for dialogue; it symbolized a “joint commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals.” He identified Kabarak University and the ICI as “game-changers” in the cancer care ecosystem.He outlined three key areas of focus:
- Training the Next Generation: Beyond pharmacy, he stressed the importance of equipping students in medical, nursing, and allied health fields for roles in prevention, diagnostics, and survivorship care.
- Research and Innovation: He called for research to generate local data for targeted interventions, and to develop affordable diagnostics, natural product drugs, and cost-effective care models.
- Collaboration with Government: He underscored the need for institutions to partner with the NCI-K to co-develop training programs and pilot new care models.
Concluding his remarks, Dr Melly urged attendees to leave the conference with “action plans” and “partnerships,” and pledged the NCI-K’s unwavering support. “Let us create a Kenya and an Africa where quality cancer care is not the exception, but the norm. The time is now,” he stated, leaving a powerful call to action for everyone involved in the fight against cancer.
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