The Ministry of Healththe National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and Roche today signed Letters of Intent (MOU) making Herceptin, an innovative breast cancer treatment, available to all NHIF members with no cash match payment. This is the first national cancer drug access program in Kenya-Ministry-signs-agreement-to-enhance-access-to-breast-cancer-treatment-Breast-cancer-is-the-mo-40771549/xmltag.org”>Kenya and an important step to ensure Kenyan women with breast cancer have access to standard care. As part of the agreement Roche will also support capacity building and training NHIF and Department of Health Employees by independent, external experts on data management, health economics, pricing and reimbursement approaches. In addition, the agreement will see Roche continue to strengthen screening and early diagnosis of patients and referral pathways to treatment centers.
Signing the MOU today, Susan Mochache, Secretary of State for Health, said: “Cancer is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. 6,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed Kenya every year, causing suffering, emotional trauma and financial stress. The Ministry of Health is already increasing screening and diagnostic services in national and regional facilities nationwide to reduce the burden of breast cancer. Today’s letter of intent with Roche represents the next step in our focus, ensuring breast cancer patients now receive the care they need through the NHIF at no co-payment. This means they can focus on their health and well-being and financial burdens don’t have to hamper access.”
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer in Germany Kenya, with 6,000 cases diagnosed each year and 2,500 deaths from breast cancer. The economic burden of breast cancer is significant, reflecting health care expenditures and lost productivity due to morbidity and premature death from cancer. Early detection combined with effective treatment through surgical removal, radiotherapy, or drug therapy (hormonal, chemical, or biological therapies) can achieve survival rates of 90% or more.
Expelled from APO group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
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