A severe shortage of Herceptin, a vital drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, has left thousands of Kenyan patients in distress. The crisis, reported by cancer advocacy groups, has been linked to the ongoing transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has caused significant disruptions in healthcare services.
Herceptin, also known as trastuzumab, has been widely recognized as a revolutionary drug in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. It works by targeting the HER2 protein, which promotes the growth of cancer cells, effectively halting their spread and improving survival rates. The drug has saved millions of lives globally and has been a crucial component of breast cancer therapy for patients requiring targeted treatment.
In 2022, Herceptin was made accessible to Kenyan cancer patients through an agreement between NHIF and Roche, the drug’s manufacturer. Under this arrangement, NHIF covered the full cost of treatment, significantly easing the financial burden on patients. However, following the shift to SHA, many patients have been unable to access the drug, leading to growing concerns about the availability of life-saving medication in public hospitals.
According to the Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations (Kenco), Herceptin is out of stock in major public hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital (KUTRRH). Patients who previously relied on NHIF subsidies are now being forced to either pay out-of-pocket or go without the medication.
The Social Health Authority currently covers only three cycles of the drug, while most patients require between 12 and 18 cycles for effective treatment. Given that a single dose of Herceptin costs approximately KSh 100,000 in private hospitals, the cost has become an insurmountable barrier for many.
“Without Herceptin, thousands of women battling breast cancer are left with no hope,” said Phoebe Ongadi, Executive Director of Kenco, speaking on behalf of multiple cancer advocacy groups. “Many patients have been turned away from public hospitals or forced to buy expensive medication from private pharmacies. This is unacceptable and puts lives at risk.”
Cancer patients have reported widespread confusion and disruptions in healthcare services due to the unclear implementation of SHA. Many patients and healthcare providers remain uncertain about what SHA covers, leading to interruptions in critical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and dialysis.
“We were assured of a smooth transition, but in reality, patients are suffering,” Ongadi stated. “Some are being turned away from treatment centers because hospitals do not know whether SHA will cover their care.”
Additionally, technical problems with SHA’s system have created further complications. Patients have reported difficulties with registration, logging in, and obtaining pre-authorization for treatment. These bureaucratic delays are particularly dangerous for cancer patients, as treatment delays can allow the disease to progress, reducing survival rates.
Advocacy groups have also raised concerns about SHA’s budget allocation for chronic illnesses, which they say is insufficient to meet growing demand. The funding shortfall affects not only access to essential medications like Herceptin but also cancer screening services, which are crucial for early detection and treatment.
“Prevention is better than cure, but without funding for screening, many cancers will go undiagnosed until it’s too late,” Ongadi warned.
Patients seeking diagnostic services at KUTRRH have also faced long waiting periods for PET CT scans, which are essential for accurate cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. Delays in obtaining scan results hinder timely medical interventions, lowering survival chances for many patients.
In response to the crisis, Kenco and other health advocacy organizations, including the Health NGOs Network (Hennet), the NCD Alliance-Kenya, and the Cancer Survivors Association of Kenya, are calling on the government to take immediate action. Their key demands include:
Restoring the availability of Herceptin and other essential cancer drugs in all public hospitals to ensure continuous access for patients.
Ensuring uninterrupted access to cancer and NCD treatment by clarifying SHA coverage and preventing disruptions in care.
Expanding radiotherapy services by maintaining machines, increasing treatment capacity, and partnering with private hospitals.
Providing clear and transparent information on SHA’s oncology coverage, so patients understand their entitlements and treatment options.
Increasing SHA’s budget for chronic illnesses, to support long-term care, cancer screening programs, and other essential medical services.
Automatically transferring NHIF prepayments to SHA, to prevent patients from being forced to make duplicate payments for covered treatments.
The transition from NHIF to SHA was intended to improve healthcare access and efficiency in Kenya. However, the current gaps in coverage and disruptions in treatment indicate that urgent reforms are needed to ensure that cancer patients receive the care they require.
For thousands of women battling breast cancer, timely access to Herceptin can mean the difference between life and death. The government must act swiftly to restore access to the drug and address the systemic challenges that continue to affect cancer care in the country.
If no immediate measures are taken, the ongoing crisis could lead to increased cancer-related fatalities, reversing the progress made in improving breast cancer treatment outcomes in Kenya.
