Government Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Cancer Care at AFROG 2026 Conference
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Cancer Care at AFROG 2026 Conference
Nairobi, Kenya - - Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment while officially opening the 11th African Radiation Oncology Group (AFROG) 2026 Annual Scientific Conference in Nairobi.
The three-day conference, held under the theme “Innovation and Precision in Radiotherapy,” has brought together oncology experts, researchers, policymakers and healthcare professionals from across Africa to showcase emerging innovations, strengthen scientific collaboration and advance multidisciplinary cancer care.
Organised in partnership with the Clinical and Radiation Oncology Society of Kenya (CROS-K), the conference provides a platform to promote regional collaboration, strengthen oncology research and improve access to quality radiotherapy services in support of Universal Health Coverage.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Cabinet Secretary highlighted the progress Kenya has made in expanding access to cancer services under the Fifth Administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). He noted that reforms implemented through the Social Health Authority have expanded the national cancer benefits package while increasing investments in specialised oncology services to make quality cancer care more affordable and accessible.
The Cabinet Secretary said the National Cancer Control Strategy 2023–2027 continues to guide the country’s efforts to strengthen cancer prevention, HPV vaccination, screening, early detection, treatment, survivorship, palliative care, surveillance and research. He noted that the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, working with the Ministry of Health, county governments, academic institutions and development partners, continues to coordinate implementation of the national cancer control programme.
With nearly 44,000 new cancer cases reported annually, the Cabinet Secretary emphasised that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve survival. He said the Government is integrating cancer prevention and screening into Primary Health Care Networks, with Community Health Promoters playing a key role in community awareness, screening, referral and patient follow-up.
To improve equitable access to specialised treatment, the Government has continued to decentralise oncology services through regional cancer centres in Mombasa, Nakuru, Garissa and Kisii while expanding treatment capacity at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. These investments are reducing travel distances, easing waiting times and bringing comprehensive cancer care closer to communities.
The Cabinet Secretary also noted that Kenya’s investment in advanced technologies, including CyberKnife, PET-CT imaging and theranostics, has strengthened the country’s position as a regional referral hub for cancer care, attracting patients from more than 15 countries. He said these investments support Kenya’s ambition to become a leading centre for specialised oncology diagnosis, treatment, training and research in Eastern and Central Africa.
He added that the Government is strengthening local production of essential health products and technologies through the Kenya BioVax Institute, strategic partnerships with research institutions and industry, and the broader local manufacturing agenda to enhance national capacity, health security and system resilience.
The conference was attended by Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Kisumu County Governor H.E. Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, African Radiation Oncology Group President Dr. Catherine Nyongesa, National Cancer Institute Chief Executive Officer Dr. Elias Melly, and other leaders from government, academia, professional bodies and development partners.