Mombasa: Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, has announced that 107,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) will, from July 1, receive comprehensive medical cover under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and transition into permanent and pensionable terms of service. Speaking at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) during the launch of the Mombasa Radiotherapy Centre and Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine procured by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Duale confirmed the national government had reached an agreement with county governments to ensure CHPs receive comprehensive health cover and facilitate the transfer of UHC workers’ payrolls.
According to Kenya News Agency, Duale expressed that an agreement with the Council of Governors has been made to provide CHPs, who are the frontline healthcare workers, with the specialised SHIF comprehensive cover. He emphasized that UHC workers’ contracts have been extended to June 30, with funds allocated for their transition to permanent and pensionable terms starting July 1, ending a longstanding standoff between UHC workers and the government.
Duale highlighted that cancer remains a major public health challenge and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality locally, placing a burden on families and the healthcare system. He noted the limited access to radiotherapy services in the past, which forced patients to travel long distances, often to Nairobi, resulting in long waiting times and financial strain.
The commissioning of the new radiotherapy machine was described by Duale as a significant step towards equity in cancer care and a commitment to ensuring no Kenyan is denied treatment due to geographical location. He acknowledged the International Atomic Energy Agency’s support in acquiring modern radiotherapy machines, which benefit patients in Mombasa and Nakuru counties, thus strengthening the country’s cancer treatment landscape.
Duale also mentioned that 50 percent of cancer patients require radiotherapy as part of their treatment, and the shift from a centralized system in Nairobi to regional cancer hubs has reduced congestion at national referral hospitals and improved access to treatment.
To enhance cancer prevention, the government is expanding treatment services nationwide, investing in healthcare workers, and integrating cancer care into the Universal Health Coverage agenda. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stressed the importance of concerted efforts to tackle the cancer burden, noting that more machines will be procured to reduce cancer-related deaths.
Governor Abdulswamad Nassir stated that cancer is the third leading cause of death in the country, affecting people regardless of tribe, age, or social status. He emphasized the need for accessible radiotherapy services, which will now be available closer to home for many patients. The governor also mentioned the county’s efforts to expand the CGTRH and its investment in the health sector, aiming to make it a hospital of choice rather than necessity.
