The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) convened a stakeholder meeting to establish a National Childhood Cancer Registry to strengthen pediatric cancer surveillance in the country. The consultative forum was held yesterday, 23rd January, in Nairobi, bringing together key actors in cancer data management and clinical care from across the country.
Stakeholders and Cancer Registrars from regional centers
The meeting, chaired by NCI-K Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Elias Melly, brought representations spanning the Nairobi, Nyanza, Nakuru, Rift Valley, Coastal, Central, Eastern, and Northeastern regions, with discussions focused on technical and strategic areas necessary for the successful rollout of the registry. These included a technical session on data variables and standardization, ensuring consistency and quality in reporting across facilities; digital infrastructure and systems integration to support real-time data capture and sharing; and priority research areas and opportunities that the registry will unlock to inform policy, planning, and clinical outcomes.
NCI-K CEO, Dr. Elias Melly, with Prof. Gertjan Kaspers, Managing Director at Princess Maxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology.
Cancer registrars from the regional centres presented the status of their respective facilities, highlighting existing capacities, challenges, and areas requiring support; a practical insight expected to guide the phased implementation of the registry and ensure it is responsive to realities on the ground.
A strong case for an urgent need to develop robust data to improve early diagnosis, treatment planning, survival outcomes, and long-term follow-up for children with cancer was presented by Gladys Chesumbai, the Head of the National Cancer Registry at NCI-K. The sessions benefited from international expertise, with professional guidance provided by Prof. Gertjan Kaspers, Managing Director at the Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology. His contribution enriched discussions on global best practices in paediatric oncology data systems and registry development.
The meeting was further strengthened by the presence of leading medical professionals, including Dr. Gilbert Olbara, Dr. Irene Nzamu, Dr. Rose Munge, Dr. Fatma Al-Amoody, Dr. Grace Mbatia, Dr. Doreen Karimi, Dr. Ann Korir—who also serves as NCI-K Board Member—and Ibrahim El Salih.
The planned National Childhood Cancer Registry is expected to be a transformative tool in Kenya’s fight against childhood cancer, providing reliable national data to guide prevention strategies, improve care delivery, and support research and resource allocation. This initiative aligns with NCI-K’s broader mandate to strengthen cancer control systems and improve outcomes for all Kenyans.
Towards a Cancer Free Nation.
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