Nairobi County is set to launch a large-scale cervical cancer screening campaign aimed at improving access to early detection, particularly for women in underserved and marginalized communities. This initiative, spearheaded by the Nairobi County government in partnership with BD (Becton, Dickinson, and Company), seeks to transform cervical cancer prevention by providing women with self-screening options using newly FDA-approved self-collection technology.
Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Kenya. According to the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), the disease claims an estimated 3,211 lives annually. Globally, over 341,000 women die from cervical cancer each year, with 90% of these deaths occurring in low- and lower-middle-income countries, including Kenya. Despite the availability of effective screening methods, only 17% of Kenyan women have undergone cervical cancer screening, leaving millions vulnerable to the disease.
Cultural stigmas, limited access to healthcare professionals, and infrastructural challenges have historically hindered efforts to combat cervical cancer. By introducing self-screening kits, the initiative aims to eliminate some of these barriers, enabling women to test themselves in a private, safe, and convenient setting
The cervical cancer screening initiative is a collaborative effort between the Nairobi County government, the Ministry of Health, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), BD, and Healthstrat. Through this partnership, the campaign aims to increase awareness and mobilize women to undergo Human Papillomavirus (HPV) screening, which is the primary cause of cervical cancer.
Dr. Irene Muchoki, the Chief Officer of Medical Services for Nairobi County, emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “This is a significant milestone in the fight to eliminate cervical cancer in Nairobi and Kenya at large. The role of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in reaching vulnerable populations is crucial to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and addressing health inequities in both urban and rural areas.”
A key component of the initiative is the introduction of BD’s newly FDA-approved self-collection technology, which allows women to collect their own samples for HPV testing. This innovation is expected to encourage more women to get screened, reducing the fear and discomfort often associated with traditional screening methods.
Caitlin Asjes, BD’s Senior Global Director of Public Health, highlighted the importance of this initiative in reducing cervical cancer mortality rates. “This HPV self-screening mobilisation marks an important step in the ongoing efforts to reduce cervical cancer mortality rates in Kenya. It also underscores the importance of partnerships between private sector innovators and government health bodies in addressing some of Kenya’s most pressing healthcare challenges,” she noted.
The success of this initiative heavily depends on the involvement of over 700 trained Community Health Promoters (CHPs). These frontline healthcare workers are responsible for educating women, distributing screening kits, and ensuring those who test positive receive the necessary follow-up care. CHPs play a crucial role in Kenya’s National Cancer Control Strategy, which emphasizes early detection and timely treatment.
Dr. Andrew Nyandigisi, CEO of Healthstrat, reiterated the importance of collaboration in executing the Ministry of Health’s strategy. “This project is possible thanks to key stakeholder collaboration. By working with Community Health Promoters, we ensure that women can access the kits and crucial information to fight cervical cancer. Our mandate is to support the Ministry’s strategy by focusing on early detection and capacity building across the healthcare system,” he explained.
The large-scale mobilisation of HPV screening in Nairobi marks a crucial step in Kenya’s broader goal of eliminating cervical cancer. By improving access to screening and raising awareness, this initiative has the potential to save thousands of lives. The government, in collaboration with private sector partners, continues to push for innovative solutions to improve public health and strengthen Kenya’s fight against cervical cancer.
With sustained commitment and community involvement, the Nairobi County government’s initiative could serve as a model for other counties, ensuring that more women across the country have access to life-saving cervical cancer screening services.
