BACKGROUND: Cancer is the third leading cause of mortality in Kenya, accounting for 7% of annual deaths. The Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH) is committed to reducing cancer mortality, as evidenced by policies such as the National Cancer Control Strategy (2011-2016). There are many Kenyan and international organizations devoted to this task; however, coordination is lacking among stakeholders, resulting in inefficient and overlapping expenditure of resources. METHODS: The MOH and the NCI Center for Global Health collaboratively executed a two day workshop to improve coordination among government, NGO, and private organizations. Over 80 stakeholders participated from leading cancer research and control institutions in Kenya and the international sphere. FINDINGS: Actionable recommendations include: establishment of a nationally representative population-based cancer registry; enhanced training for community health workers, nurses, researchers, pathologists, and oncology specialists; a reconfigured referral process, including leveraging of existing resources to improve access to cancer care; and coordinated community outreach and education. The MOH is in the process of forming a Technical Working Group (TWG) and has elected a Board of Directors for the newly established Kenyan National Cancer Institute (KNCI), with both entities committed to advancing the cancer control work of the MOH. INTERPRETATION: This stakeholder meeting enhanced in-country networks, identified priority needs and developed actionable proposals for coordinated improvement of cancer research and control. Active, persistent follow-up by the TWG, KNCI, and other partners will be needed to turn proposals into reality and ensure that partners' investments are integrated into larger cancer control efforts prioritized by MOH.
BACKGROUND:Cancer is the third leading cause of mortality in Kenya, accounting for 7% of annual deaths. The Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH) is committed to reducing cancer mortality, as evidenced by policies such as the National Cancer Control Strategy (2011-2016). There are many Kenyan and international organizations devoted to this task; however, coordination is lacking among stakeholders, resulting in inefficient and overlapping expenditure of resources. METHODS: The MOH and the NCI Center for Global Health collaboratively executed a two day workshop to improve coordination among government, NGO, and private organizations. Over 80 stakeholders participated from leading cancer research and control institutions in Kenya and the international sphere. FINDINGS: Actionable recommendations include: establishment of a nationally representative population-based cancer registry; enhanced training for community health workers, nurses, researchers, pathologists, and oncology specialists; a reconfigured referral process, including leveraging of existing resources to improve access to cancer care; and coordinated community outreach and education. The MOH is in the process of forming a Technical Working Group (TWG) and has elected a Board of Directors for the newly established Kenyan National Cancer Institute (KNCI), with both entities committed to advancing the cancer control work of the MOH. INTERPRETATION: This stakeholder meeting enhanced in-country networks, identified priority needs and developed actionable proposals for coordinated improvement of cancer research and control. Active, persistent follow-up by the TWG, KNCI, and other partners will be needed to turn proposals into reality and ensure that partners' investments are integrated into larger cancer control efforts prioritized by MOH.
Authors: Elisabeth L Vodicka; Michael H Chung; Marita R Zimmermann; Rose J Kosgei; Fan Lee; Nelly R Mugo; Timothy C Okech; Samah R Sakr; Andy Stergachis; Louis P Garrison; Joseph B Babigumira Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-06-06 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Shahin Sayed; Andrew Field; Jamilla Rajab; Anderson Mutuiri; Jessie Githanga; Mary Mungania; Nancy Okinda; Zahir Moloo; Abubakar Abdillah; Brian Ayara; Erick Chesori; Julia Muthua; Leah Obosy; Thaddeus Massawa; Okoth Obiero; Elizabeth Kagotho; Peter K Shikuku; Andrew K Gachii; Eunida Migide; Donstefano Muninzwa; Sanford M Dawsey; Lucy Muchiri Journal: J Glob Oncol Date: 2018-11
Authors: Louise Kathini Makau-Barasa; Sandra Greene; N A Othieno-Abinya; Stephanie B Wheeler; Asheley Skinner; Antonia V Bennett Journal: Health Res Policy Syst Date: 2020-01-07
Authors: Mercy A Oduor; Teresa C Lotodo; Terry A Vik; Kelvin M Manyega; Patrick Loehrer; Austin A Omondi; John O Oguda; Fredrick C Asirwa Journal: JCO Glob Oncol Date: 2021-03