Before our weekend adventures, our team focused on conducting key stakeholder interviews and data gathering. We were able to connect with two key stakeholders to discuss the topic of establishing a national cancer registry to wrap up Week 1.
In the past, like most African nations, Kenya's health care system has focused primarily on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Recently though, there has been increased attention on cancer since the disease is the leading killer globally (more than HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB combined). Specifically, the Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH) has developed a national strategy to increase the screening and early detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer. They are especially focused on those cancer types that are easily detactable and curable in its early stages like cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is currently the leading killer of women in Kenya, but hopefully, with improved public awareness and early routine screening, detection and treatment can help reduce mortality rates.
Our first meeting was at Afya House, the headquarters building for the Ministry of Health with Dr. Waihenya, the head of the Division of Non-Communicable Diseases. Due to the infamous Nairobi traffic jams, we left at 0630 for the 0830 meeting. AFYA House is located on a hillside so we were able to take some photos from a public view point when we arrived early for our meeting.
In the past, like most African nations, Kenya's health care system has focused primarily on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Recently though, there has been increased attention on cancer since the disease is the leading killer globally (more than HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB combined). Specifically, the Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH) has developed a national strategy to increase the screening and early detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer. They are especially focused on those cancer types that are easily detactable and curable in its early stages like cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is currently the leading killer of women in Kenya, but hopefully, with improved public awareness and early routine screening, detection and treatment can help reduce mortality rates.
Our first meeting was at Afya House, the headquarters building for the Ministry of Health with Dr. Waihenya, the head of the Division of Non-Communicable Diseases. Due to the infamous Nairobi traffic jams, we left at 0630 for the 0830 meeting. AFYA House is located on a hillside so we were able to take some photos from a public view point when we arrived early for our meeting.
Nairobi on a drizzly, gray day
Vinayak says "Peace Out" Kenya
Mary & Ulla
AFYA House, Ministry of Health Headquarters....an anti-corruption zone.
We then proceeded to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) complex for a meeting with Anne Korir, head of Nairobi Region Cancer Registry. We were able to better understand the challenges she faces and how we can leverage the great work her team has done in Nairobi to build a country-wide National Cancer Registry.
Many thanks to Dr. Waihenya and Anne for taking the time from their busy schedules to talk to us. Our team was able to learn a lot and to better understand the challenges they face.
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