Mombasa: The Mombasa County Government, in partnership with the M-Pesa Foundation and Faraja Cancer Support Trust, has commissioned a Sh63.2 million Cancer Wellness Centre at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH).
According to Kenya News Agency, the new centre will complement existing medical services at Coast General Hospital by providing emotional, social, and practical support to cancer patients and their caregivers throughout the treatment journey. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at the Coast General Hospital Cancer Centre, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir highlighted the growing challenge of cancer on a national level, emphasizing the rise in affected individuals.
He noted that the facility would bring quality cancer care and support services closer to residents of Mombasa and the wider Coast region, which also serves patients from other parts of Kenya and neighbouring countries. Nassir expressed concern over the increasing number of cancer patients and the lack of awareness among newly diagnosed individuals about starting treatment.
The Governor praised the collaboration between the County Department of Health, Faraja Cancer Support Trust, and the M-Pesa Foundation, stating that the project aligns with ongoing investments in specialized cancer care at Coast General Hospital. He described the initiative as a pioneering effort in Kenya, offering comprehensive support beyond medical treatment.
He encouraged the Faraja team to partner with the Mombasa County Department of Health in organizing quarterly cancer screening camps to promote early detection. Nassir also appealed to striking nurses to return to work, emphasizing the importance of setting aside politics to prioritize patient care.
Faraja Cancer Support Trust Founder and Trustee Shairya Adamal acknowledged Mombasa County’s significant step in establishing a dedicated cancer support centre within a county referral hospital. She highlighted the successful collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society organizations in achieving common goals.
Adamal shared that Faraja’s centres in Eldoret and Nairobi had reached about 10,000 patients over the past year, with significant participation in support groups. She also mentioned the provision of financial assistance to cancer patients who cannot afford treatment, citing support for 325,000 patients at a cost of Sh20 million in 2025.
She explained that the organization would integrate with existing health systems, adopting a model similar to Maggie’s Centres in the United Kingdom, which offer practical, emotional, and social support. Improved cancer services in the region have reduced the need for patients to travel to Nairobi for radiotherapy.
M-Pesa Foundation Trustee Celestine Munda emphasized the importance of the partnership in delivering critical services to Mombasa residents. She stated that the new centre would offer hope and comfort to cancer patients and their families, noting the foundation’s support for Coast General Hospital since 2018 in expanding access to cancer-related services.
Munda called for greater collaboration in cancer screening and medical camps, acknowledging the ongoing challenge of cancer both in Kenya and globally. She praised Faraja Centre for its dedication and emphasized the collective promise to provide care and restore hope for cancer patients.
Carolyne Akinyi, Secretary-General of the Coast General Cancer Support Group, advocated for the inclusion of cancer survivors in patient navigation programmes. As a cancer survivor, she emphasized the value of survivors guiding and supporting newly diagnosed patients, based on their personal experiences with the disease.
