Most health facilities not prepared to screen or treat cervical cancer, says MoH

A new study supported by Kenya’s Ministry of Health indicates that most dispensaries and health centres in the country do not offer cervical cancer screening, and even those that do, fail to provide basic treatment. Officials from the Ministry of Health, the Aga Khan University Hospitals and their partners assessed 3,150 hospitals in 25 counties for their capacity to screen and treat cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Kenya. Current estimates indicate that every year, 5,236 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3,211 die from the disease. Despite these challenges, experts say it is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, if it is detected early and managed effectively. Furthermore, the presence of multiple screening points within hospitals was identified as a key strength of the cervical cancer programme. "Multiple service provision points by different cadres minimise lost opportunities and increase screening uptake," the study notes. "Sustained capacity-building of healthcare workers is necessary for the success of cervical cancer programmes.”