Kenya Strengthens Cancer Data Systems Through Global Collaboration
Nairobi, Kenya – February 27, 2025 – The Ministry of Health is enhancing cancer data collection and sharing to improve prevention, control, and patient outcomes.
On February 27, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Mr. Harry Kimtai, met with a delegation from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a WHO-affiliated institution, and Oxford University to discuss strengthening Population-Based Cancer Registries, sustainable funding, and Kenya’s growing role in global cancer initiatives.
The discussions focused on cancer data access, data sharing, and sustainable funding for cancer registries in Kenya. The meeting also explored Kenya’s potential role in hosting the World Leaders Cancer Summit in 2027. Cancer registries play a vital role in generating data to establish the burden of cancer, monitoring intervention outcomes, and guiding policy decisions through research-based evidence.
These efforts are key to strengthening cancer prevention and control strategies. Kenya has been designated as a regional center of excellence in cancer registration training, reinforcing its leadership in cancer data management across Africa.
The country was recently ranked by WHO as Africa’s leader in breast cancer prevention and control, further demonstrating its commitment to advancing cancer surveillance and intervention strategies.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Freddy Bray, Director of the Cancer Surveillance Unit at IARC; Prof. Max Parkin and Biying Liu from Oxford University; Dr. Elias Melly, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya; Ms. Gladys Chesumbai, Head of the National Cancer Registry; and Ms. Ann Korir, Head of the Nairobi Cancer Registry.
PS Kimtai reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to leveraging data-driven approaches to improve cancer control efforts.
“Strengthening cancer registries is key to understanding the disease burden, tracking interventions, and shaping evidence-based policies for better health outcomes,” he stated.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s commitment to cancer control and global partnerships in health.