National Cancer Institute Kenya

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  • NCI-K Participates in Africa Press Day 2026

    NCI-K Participates in Africa Press Day 2026

    The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) yesterday participated in Africa Press Day 2026, a flagship regional convening hosted by Roche Africa. The event brought together leading voices shaping the future of health in Africa—including patient advocates, policymakers, innovators, and more than 40 journalists from across the continent—to explore a critical question: What is health truly worth to societies, economies, and Africa’s long-term sovereignty?

    Held under the theme “Health: What’s it worth?”, the 2026 edition reframed health not as a cost or social expenditure, but as an economic driver that underpins productivity, resilience, equity, and sustainable development across the continent. The event took place at Mbagathi Hospital and included a site visit to the EMPOWER Digital Clinic.

    Panel discussion. From left: Dr. Victor Kibe, Head of Division for NCD
    Care in Nairobi County, Dr. Matiko, CEO, Savannah Informatics, Jacqueline Wambua, Roche East Africa General Manager, and Emily Barsito, Head of Partnerships, Resource Mobilization and Strategic Planning, NCI-K

    This year’s discussions also placed special focus on women’s health, recognizing its central role in workforce participation, household stability, and intergenerational prosperity across African societies.

    A key highlight of the visit was the EMPOWER digital platform, developed in collaboration with NCI-K, Savannah Global Health, and Roche. The platform is a digital patient notification and navigation tool for individuals diagnosed with cancer, enabling real-time data capture and improved care coordination. The system has been integrated into the National Cancer Registry (NaCaRe) to strengthen cancer reporting, harmonize data across facilities, and enhance patient tracking to ensure that no patient is lost along the continuum of care.

    The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Moses Owino, Director of Medical Services for Nairobi City County Government, and featured key leaders in health policy, oncology, and digital innovation. Among the panelists was Emily Barsito, Head of Partnerships, Strategic Planning and Resource Mobilization at NCI-K, alongside Dr. Victor Kibe (Head of the Division for NCD Care, Nairobi County), Suzanne Silantoi (Health, Wellness and Nutrition, Nairobi County), H.E. Dorothy Nyong’o (Managing Trustee, Africa Cancer Foundation and First Lady of Kisumu County), and Dr. Matiko, CEO of Savannah Informatics.

    During the discussion, Emily Barsito addressed two key issues. First, she spoke on the role of digital health platforms in strengthening the national cancer response, highlighting how NaCaRe and EMPOWER tools enable the government to track patient outcomes more effectively, generate real-time data for decision-making, and support evidence-based allocation of health resources.

    Secondly, she discuNCI-K Participates in Africa Press Day 2026

    The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) yesterday participated in Africa Press Day 2026, a flagship regional convening hosted by Roche Africa. The event brought together leading voices shaping the future of health in Africa—including patient advocates, policymakers, innovators, and more than 40 journalists from across the continent—to explore a critical question: What is health truly worth to societies, economies, and Africa’s long-term sovereignty?

    Held under the theme “Health: What’s it worth?”, the 2026 edition reframed health not as a cost or social expenditure, but as an economic driver that underpins productivity, resilience, equity, and sustainable development across the continent. The event took place at Mbagathi Hospital and included a site visit to the EMPOWER Digital Clinic.

    This year’s discussions also placed special focus on women’s health, recognizing its central role in workforce participation, household stability, and intergenerational prosperity across African societies.

    A key highlight of the visit was the EMPOWER digital platform, developed in collaboration with NCI-K, Savannah Global Health, and Roche. The platform is a digital patient notification and navigation tool for individuals diagnosed with cancer, enabling real-time data capture and improved care coordination. The system has been integrated into the National Cancer Registry (NaCaRe) to strengthen cancer reporting, harmonize data across facilities, and enhance patient tracking to ensure that no patient is lost along the continuum of care.

    The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Moses Owino, Director of Medical Services for Nairobi City County Government, and featured key leaders in health policy, oncology, and digital innovation. Among the panelists was Emily Barsito, Head of Partnerships, Strategic Planning and Resource Mobilization at NCI-K, alongside Dr. Victor Kibe (Head of the Division for NCD Care, Nairobi County), Suzanne Silantoi (Health, Wellness and Nutrition, Nairobi County), H.E. Dorothy Nyong’o (Managing Trustee, Africa Cancer Foundation and First Lady of Kisumu County), and Dr. Matiko, CEO of Savannah Informatics.

    During the discussion, Emily Barsito addressed two key issues. First, she spoke on the role of digital health platforms in strengthening the national cancer response, highlighting how NaCaRe and EMPOWER tools enable the government to track patient outcomes more effectively, generate real-time data for decision-making, and support evidence-based allocation of health resources.

    Secondly, she discussed standardization and equity in cancer care, noting that the National Cancer Control Strategy helps ensure that the standard of care remains consistent across the country.

    Through its participation in Africa Press Day, NCI-K reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging digital innovation, partnerships, and data-driven approaches to strengthen cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and patient support systems in Kenya.ssed standardization and equity in cancer care, noting that the National Cancer Control Strategy helps ensure that the standard of care remains consistent across the country.

    Through its participation in Africa Press Day, NCI-K reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging digital innovation, partnerships, and data-driven approaches to strengthen cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and patient support systems in Kenya.

  • KIRINYAGA RECORDS HISTORIC TURNOUT AS NCI-K LEADS CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS AND SCREENING OUTREACH.

    KIRINYAGA RECORDS HISTORIC TURNOUT AS NCI-K LEADS CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS AND SCREENING OUTREACH.

    The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), in collaboration with partners including Texas Cancer Centre, Beyond Zero, Minnovate Afya, the County Government of Kirinyaga, and the Office of the Principal Secretary, State Department for Health and Professional Standards – Ministry of Health, conducted a major cancer screening, education, and awareness outreach at Ngiriambu Primary School in Kirinyaga County as part of activities to commemorate Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

    The outreach was preceded by extensive community mobilization and publicity, resulting in an impressive turnout of both men and women for screening services. Notably, Day One recorded a historic milestone — for the first time across NCI-K screening outreaches, the number of men presenting for screening surpassed that of women. This marks a significant and encouraging shift, demonstrating that men are increasingly taking an active role in seeking healthcare services. The high uptake among men was further supported by the use of modern PSA screening technology, a simple process that delivers results in approximately 15 minutes, improving convenience and confidence in testing.

    The week-long activity is expected to reach even higher numbers as momentum builds. NCI-K commends the community for this positive response and encourages other regions across the country to emulate Kirinyaga’s proactive approach to cancer prevention and early detection.

    In addition to screening services, members of the public received health education and awareness sessions aimed at dispelling myths and misconceptions about cancer while promoting accurate information on prevention, early detection, and treatment options. NCI-K remains committed to reaching communities across the country to enhance uptake of HPV vaccination and cancer screening services as Kenya works toward achieving the WHO 90-70-90 cervical cancer elimination targets by 2030, alongside implementation of the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2025–2030.

  • Kenya Launches National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030

    Kenya Launches National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030

    15th January, 2025 – Nairobi, Kenya

    Abel Limo

    admin

    The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) participated in the official launch of Kenya’s National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to eliminate one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women.

    The launch took place during a National Symposium presided over by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, as part of Kenya Cancer Awareness Month. The two-day symposium was held under the theme:
    “Accelerating Cervical Cancer Elimination: Strong Systems and Community Action for Every Girl and Every Woman.”

    Health CS Hon. Aden Duale during the official launch of Kenya’s National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030.

    NCI-K was represented at the symposium by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Elias Melly, reaffirming the Institute’s central role in coordinating and strengthening national cancer prevention and control efforts.

    The forum brought together women leaders, healthcare professionals, policymakers, development partners, and civil society organisations to review progress and accelerate action across the full continuum of cervical cancer care — from prevention and screening to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

    This Action Plan is designed to drive progress towards the WHO global 90–70–90 targets:

    • 90% of girls fully vaccinated against HPV
    • 70% of women screened using high-performance tests
    • 90% of women diagnosed with cervical pre-cancer or cancer receiving timely and appropriate treatment

    The Action Plan prioritises HPV vaccination, early and equitable screening, prompt treatment, and long-term follow-up, in alignment with the World Health Organization’s strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat.

    NCI-K remains committed to supporting the implementation of this Action Plan through coordination, advocacy, public education, and partnerships aimed at achieving a cervical cancer–free future for all women and girls in Kenya.

  • Building a Cancer-Free Future: How Kenya Is Tackling Cervical Cancer and the Wider Cancer Burden

    Building a Cancer-Free Future: How Kenya Is Tackling Cervical Cancer and the Wider Cancer Burden

    The 90–70–90 targets aim to eliminate cervical cancer by ensuring widespread HPV vaccination, regular screening, and timely treatment for all women. In Kenya, the government—through the Ministry of Health—is actively pursuing these goals as part of a comprehensive cancer control agenda. The strategy sets global targets for 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15, 70% of women screened with high-performance tests by ages 35 and 45, and 90% of women diagnosed with pre-cancer or cancer receiving appropriate treatment to drastically reduce incidence and deaths within the century.

    Kenya has taken several concrete steps to make this a reality. The Ministry of Health has integrated free HPV vaccination into the national immunization programme across the country and recently transitioned to a single-dose HPV vaccination schedule, which increases coverage and reduces barriers for families. Screening services for cervical, breast, prostate, and other cancers are being expanded through community outreach, county health facilities, and integrated public health campaigns.

    Beyond vaccination and screening, the government is strengthening cancer care infrastructure and access. Through the Social Health Authority (SHA) oncology benefits package, millions of Kenyans receive financial support for cancer diagnosis and treatment, including expensive therapies like HER2+ breast cancer drugs at reduced cost under the SHA scheme. More cancer treatment centres—such as regional and county chemotherapy and radiotherapy units—are being established, and modern diagnostic equipment like mammography and CT scanners are being rolled out to more counties to bring services closer to patients.

    The government’s National Cancer Control Strategy 2023-2027 provides policy guidance across prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, and research, emphasizing county partnerships, stakeholder coordination, and financing to improve access and outcomes. Kenya is also strengthening cancer data systems and population-based registries to inform evidence-based policy and improve planning and evaluation of interventions.

    Together, these efforts highlight Kenya’s strong commitment to protecting women and girls and advancing toward a cervical cancer–free future while tackling the broader cancer burden across the country.

  • Mandera County, Northeastern Region – NCI-K Partners with Superlative Healthcare to Offer Free Cancer Services.

    Mandera County, Northeastern Region – NCI-K Partners with Superlative Healthcare to Offer Free Cancer Services.

    The next stop in our nationwide campaign on education, awareness, and free cancer screening takes us to the Northern frontier of Kenya, Mandera County. The institute is leaving no stone unturned, ensuring no region is left behind in accessing information about cancer and benefiting from the free cancer services offered in partnerships with like-minded stakeholders and collaborators, thus ensuring health equity across the country.

    NCI-K will ensure all the marginalized communities are not left behind in this fight against cancer; education and awareness are the key factors in these campaigns that ensure the debunking of pervasive myths and cultural misconceptions surrounding cancer.

    To ensure this is achieved, the institute has partnered with Superlative Healthcare, a local health care facility that understands the local community better in offering free screening on breast, prostate and cervical cancers as we culminate towards the end of breast cancer awareness month, October, Superlative Healthcare will also ensure that our message packaging are consistent and are culturally sensitive to the local community, thus maximizing our impacts.

    The institute is glad to report a positive reception of the local community towards our initiatives in prevention, with women leading on readiness to be screened. With the dedication of the NCI-K staff, guided by its top leadership, the Institute remains confident that these sustained efforts will contribute significantly to reducing cancer incidence in the country.

    #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #CancerAwareness #NCIKENYA

  • Kabarak University and International Cancer Institute Host a Landmark Conference on Advancing Cancer Care

    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.

  • New Cancer Centre for Kisumu: A Bold Step Forward

    A significant meeting took place on September 5, 2025, at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss a potential game-changing initiative: the establishment of a Comprehensive Cancer Centre (CCC). This new center, a proposed partnership between the Korean government and Kisumu County, aims to address a critical healthcare gap in the region.

    The meeting highlighted the urgent need for a dedicated cancer facility. Kisumu’s First Lady, H.E. Dorothy Nyong’o, pointed out that a staggering 80% of cancer patients in the county are currently referred elsewhere for treatment. This not only burdens families with high costs but also delays and compromises care. A local, comprehensive center would drastically change this, making life-saving services accessible to the lakeside region.

    Support for the project was strong and unanimous. The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), represented by Mr Joel Owino, and Mr. Elijah Omondi, reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the center meets national standards and contributes vital data to the National Cancer Registry. The Kisumu County Health Department and the leadership of JOOTRH both endorsed the plan, seeing the standalone centre as a crucial expansion of the region’s healthcare capacity. Ms. Wairimu Mwaura from the Africa Cancer Foundation also backed the idea, noting that a consolidated centre would streamline care and improve patient experience.

    The most insightful remarks came from Dr. George Rae, the former CEO of JOOTRH, who shared valuable lessons from past attempts to establish a cancer center. He spoke of previous negotiations with various international partners and the challenges that stalled those efforts. Dr. Rae stressed the importance of learning from the past to ensure the new Korean partnership is built on a foundation of strong governance and long-term sustainability.

    This project represents a hopeful new chapter for cancer care in Kisumu. By leveraging international collaboration and building on the wisdom of past experiences, the new Comprehensive Cancer Centre has the potential to transform healthcare for thousands of people, bringing quality, affordable treatment closer to home.

  • Reviewing National Cancer Treatment Guidelines to Enhance Quality Cancer Care

    From 3rd to 5th September 2025, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, convened a three-day National Cancer Treatment Guidelines Review Workshop at Sarova Hotel, Nairobi. The event marked a significant milestone in Kenya’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cancer care and improve patient outcomes.

    The workshop brought together a multidisciplinary team of experts, including oncologists, oncology nurses, pharmacists, and pathologists, alongside representatives from leading health facilities such as Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH), and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). County representatives from Meru, Nyeri, Nakuru, Mombasa, Garissa, Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Kakamega, and Kisumu also participated, reflecting a nationally inclusive approach to improving cancer care delivery.

    Graced by the CEO of NCI-K Dr. Elias Melly and the Director-General of the Ministry of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, the workshop focused on reviewing and updating the 2019 National Cancer Treatment Guidelines and the Adult & Childhood Cancer Differentiated Care Packages (2022/23). With GLOBOCAN 2022 estimating 44,726 new cancer cases and 29,317 related deaths annually in Kenya, the review aimed to integrate emerging diagnostic tools, innovative treatment modalities, paediatric cancer protocols, and updated costing structures to make cancer care more accessible, effective, and aligned with Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

    In his remarks, Dr Melly applauded the practitioners for their dedication and excellent work in advancing cancer care across the country. He reaffirmed NCI-K’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the updated guidelines and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration among healthcare professionals, institutions, and stakeholders. 

    Key outcomes from the workshop included evaluating the effectiveness of the existing guidelines, incorporating latest scientific research and treatment technologies, and developing an implementation framework to ensure the smooth dissemination and adoption of the updated guidelines nationwide. The inclusive participation of counties and major referral hospitals underscored the importance of collaboration and collective action in addressing Kenya’s cancer burden.

    Once finalized and validated, the updated guidelines will be disseminated to healthcare providers across the country to standardize cancer care, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance equitable access to quality cancer services. This milestone reflects Kenya’s continued commitment to evidence-based, patient-centred, and sustainable cancer care.

  • Strengthening HPV DNA Testing: A Unified Push Against Cervical Cancer in Kenya

    In a landmark two-day workshop hosted at the Argyle Grand Hotel, key public and private sector stakeholders united to chart a stronger pathway for the uptake of HPV DNA testing in Kenya. The convening responded to the country’s persistently low cervical cancer screening coverage and the even lower uptake of HPV DNA testing, despite its proven effectiveness in early detection of high-risk infections

    The meeting brought together a diverse coalition of actors including the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence, county governments, Roche, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), CIHEB, Old Mutual, and county-level laboratory and health officials.

    The central theme was the urgent need to reverse Kenya’s high cervical cancer mortality by shifting to evidence-based strategies. Participants emphasized that HPV DNA testing offers superior sensitivity compared to older methods such as VIA or Pap smears, making it a cornerstone in the fight against cervical cancer.

    A high-level panel featuring Dr. Elias Melly (CEO, NCI-K), Dr. Taofik Oloruko Oba (Roche), Lance Osiro (CHAI), Pamela Were, and Sylvia Kadima underscored the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration. Deliberations highlighted distinct roles: government in creating policy and financing frameworks, NGOs and development partners in community mobilization, and the private sector in scaling access to innovative diagnostics and sustainable financing solutions.

    Practical sessions formed a key part of the workshop. Breakout groups, led by Dr. Michelle Nguu, Pamela Were, and Faith Mathai, tackled ground-level implementation. Participants engaged in:

    Hands-on demonstrations of sample collection techniques, with emphasis on self-sampling methods to increase women’s comfort, privacy, and uptake.

    Practical laboratory exercises, covering HPV DNA processing workflows, quality assurance protocols, and approaches for improving turnaround time of results.

    Simulation of referral and follow-up pathways, ensuring women who test positive are seamlessly linked to diagnosis and treatment services.

    Exploration of implementation models, ranging from county-level integration into existing RMNCAH platforms to employer-based wellness programs, including Old Mutual’s workplace health initiatives.

    The workshop closed with a plenary session where county teams and partners presented recommendations. There was strong consensus on the need for sustained national coordination, resource pooling, and community-centered strategies to normalize HPV testing.

    The collective commitment was clear: through strategic partnerships and practical implementation, Kenya can transform cervical cancer from a leading killer into a preventable and treatable disease for all women.

  • Global Spotlight: NCI-K’s CEO Featured in New York Capital Times

    Kenya’s leadership in the fight against cancer has been recognized on a global scale. A recent article in The New York Capital Times, featuring our CEO, Dr. Elias Melly, highlights how his vision is advancing the future of cancer care in Kenya and serving as a global benchmark.

    The feature titled “The future of cancer care is being written by Elias Melly” reflects on Dr. Melly’s journey from the international Halls of Academia to grassroots healthcare in Kenya. Educated in leading Institutions abroad, he chose to return home and is determined to ensure that cancer care is accessible to all and not a privilege of a select few.

    Under Dr. Melly’s leadership, NCI-K now boasts of decentralized cancer centers from Nairobi to counties- equipping regional hubs, enhancing screening services, and ensuring no family faces financial ruin in the quest to treat cancer. This shift has brought dignity, hope, and care closer to communities. Understanding the importance of homegrown solutions, Dr. Melly pioneered the creation of Kenya’s first comprehensive cancer database.

    This step ensured that policies are formulated based on our realities and not borrowed assumptions. It has also advanced affordable care packages through SHA.Beyond equipment and data, Dr. Melly invests in people. He lectures future oncologists and continues to nurture expertise and a culture of compassion in cancer care.

    His commitment extends to supporting local researchers and fostering international collaborations that enhance Kenya’s voice in global health issues. The article also expresses Dr. Melly’s ambition in positioning Kenya as a continental hub for cancer innovation. With the recent success of the 2nd National Cancer Summit, NCI-K is now preparing to host the Global Cancer Summit in 2027, which will bring together thought leaders, health practitioners, and advocates from across the world.

    While this recognition shines a light on Dr. Melly, it is a win for everyone who believes in the steps of achieving a healthier Kenya, from families, patients, to healthcare practitioners. At NCI-K, we are proud of this global recognition and are committed to ensuring that early detection, accessible treatment, and hope for recovery reach every Kenyan.