IN a significant stride towards improving prostate cancer diagnosis in Kenya, biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has announced the donation of a state-of-the-art ultrasound biopsy machine to Kenyatta National Hospital. This philanthropic gesture is part of AstraZeneca’s broader initiative to equip seven Centres of Excellence in hospitals throughout Kenya with cutting-edge diagnostic tools. This initiative is undertaken in collaboration with The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI Kenya) and the Kenya Association of Urological Surgeons (KAUS).
The motive behind AstraZeneca’s generous donations is to address the prevailing issue wherein a staggering 80 percent of prostate cancer patients in Kenya are diagnosed at advanced disease stages, often with aggressive tumours. By enhancing equitable access to advanced diagnostic technology that enables early and precise detection, this donation is poised to significantly improve survival rates among prostate cancer patients.
This milestone initiative, inaugurated at Kenyatta National Hospital, forms the cornerstone of AstraZeneca’s Cancer Care Africa programme in Kenya. Launched in November 2022, Cancer Care Africa is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to enhancing outcomes for every individual affected by cancer in Kenya and across the continent. It aims to provide access to state-of-the-art health technologies that make cancer screening more widely available, even in remote and underserved communities, emphasising health equity.
Pelin Incesu, Area Vice President, Middle East and Africa, AstraZeneca, expressed the company’s deep commitment to strengthening healthcare systems in Africa and supporting their resilience and sustainability. The partnership with the National Cancer Institute of Kenya and KAUS to address prostate cancer reflects AstraZeneca’s dedication to combatting the growing burden of cancer in Kenya. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and transform cancer care across the continent.
‘AstraZeneca is deeply committed to bolstering healthcare systems in Africa, supporting them to become more resilient and sustainable. Our partnership with the National Cancer Institute of Kenya and KAUS to address prostate cancer symbolises our dedication to fighting the growing burden of cancer in Kenya. By improving equitable access to technology that enables early diagnosis, we aim to enhance patient outcomes and, in the process, transform cancer care on the continent,’ Incesu said.
Dr. Elias Melly, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, emphasised the transformative nature of this partnership, which extends beyond immediate patient benefits. By enhancing the healthcare system’s capacity to combat the growing challenge of cancer, communities are empowered to seek better cancer care and ultimately achieve improved outcomes.
Melly added: ‘This exciting new partnership transcends the immediate benefits to patients. By enhancing the ability of our healthcare system to fight the growing challenge of cancer, we are empowering communities to seek better cancer care and ultimately experience better outcomes. It’s a transformative step towards a healthier tomorrow.’
Dr. Evanson Kamuri, CEO of Kenyatta National Hospital, welcomed the introduction of the advanced ultrasound biopsy machine as a significant step forward in their ongoing efforts to enhance prostate cancer diagnosis. Early detection plays a pivotal role in improving treatment outcomes, and this advanced equipment is expected to reduce the number of late-stage diagnoses and provide more effective treatments.
The initiative, set to equip seven hospitals across Kenya with ultrasound biopsy machines by the end of the year, will also provide Kenyatta National Hospital with 3-4 reusable biopsy guns and 10,000 specialist kits for prostate cancer diagnosis through a blood test. These tools collectively contribute to the early detection of prostate cancer, enhancing the patient journey and outcomes.
As part of the partnership, NCI Kenya and KAUS will set benchmarks for prostate cancer practice and standards across counties, ensuring that each of the seven hospital centers excels in clinical care, research innovation, and capacity building. This initiative represents a significant leap forward in the fight against prostate cancer in Kenya and the broader goal of improving cancer care in Africa.
