The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Kenya reports 45,000 new cancer diagnoses every year, leading to 29,000 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.
This highlights the pressing need to transition from a curative healthcare system to one focused on prevention.
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During a cervical cancer awareness briefing on Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary Debora Barasa revealed that cervical cancer alone contributes 5,845 new cases and 3,591 deaths annually in the country, stressing the importance of improving preventive measures.
“We must act quickly and decisively to combat the rising rates of cervical cancer, which is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Kenya,” Barasa emphasized.
She noted that the focus on prevention aligns with the country’s goals for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which includes increasing access to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, regular screenings, and prompt treatments.
The government is working to incorporate cervical cancer prevention into primary healthcare services nationwide, with a special focus on HPV vaccination for girls aged 10 to 14 as an effective way to prevent future cases of cervical cancer.
Since 2019, more than 3.3 million girls in Kenya have received their first dose of the HPV vaccine, and 2.3 million have received the second, marking significant progress toward eliminating cervical cancer in the country.
“HPV vaccines are safe, effective, and free of charge in all hospitals across the country. Protect our girls, protect the future,” Barasa urged.
