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Health ministry says subsidised cancer drugs now available in public hospitals

Director General Patrick Amoth says recent shortage was caused by failure by county governments to make payments on time

The ministry of Health says cancer drugs are now available in public facilities at subsidised rates offering hope to patients alarmed by their shortage in recent weeks.

During his weekly media briefings, Director General of Health Patrick Amoth said 456 vials of cancer medication were procured yesterday and that they can visit the various cancer centres across the country for treatment.

Amoth said the recent shortage was caused by failure by county governments to make payments on time.

“The counties failed to remit payment for cancer drugs on time but that has been addressed and an order placed with 456 vials being delivered yesterday with 1,900 more being delivered in a maximum of the next three days,” Amoth explained.

He revealed that the government through the ministry of health entered a deal with Roche Pharmaceuticals to avail the medicine to public facilities at Ksh 33,000 per dose, which is relatively cheaper than the open market price, which is more than double the amount in public facilities.

The DG also assured that they are committed to ensuring continued access to essential cancer drugs.

“We are working closely with both public and private suppliers to maintain steady availability in all health facilities. Efforts are ongoing to fast-track procurement processes, expand distribution networks, and provide financial subsidies for high-cost cancer treatments through the SHA framework,” he said.

The assurance by MoH comes after it was revealed that there is a lack of drugs for the treatment of cancer, with several patients saying they have not had a round of chemo since December last year.

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Some of the patients, who aired their grievances yesterday during the commemoration of World Cancer Day  in Nairobi, expressed that they are willing and ready to reclaim their health by taking drugs, but there were no drugs in the hospitals. Some even said they were referred to private facilities which are more expensive, considering the drugs and treatment is causing financial and emotional drain on them and their families.

The patients, some of whom were on the verge of crying, said they do not know what else to do because even the doctors, nurses and caregivers have their hands tied. They say the government and ministry of health should give attention to the deadly disease and ensure there are enough drugs for the long queues of cancer patients who are struggling to make ends meet and fighting for their health and life in general.

Prisca Githuka, the chairlady of Cancer Survivors Association, says it is important to get checked in order to rule out cancer. She also added that breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, esophagus cancer, and colorectal cancer are some of the cancers with the highest number of fatalities in Kenya.

She also added that the cancer patients in the country are ready to seek medication, however the challenges they face in terms of accessing the drugs could diminish their motivation and zeal to live a healthy life once again.

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