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Hope in the Code: How AI is Transforming Cancer Care in Kenya

 

By Violet Auma

As Kenya grapples with a growing cancer burden, the country is looking to digital health innovations and artificial intelligence (AI) to ease the strain on its overburdened healthcare system. With treatment costs skyrocketing and the socio-economic impact of cancer-related deaths weighing heavily on families, technology now offers a glimmer of hope.

The government has already taken significant steps by investing KSh 104 billion in a digital health superhighway to implement the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

This system is designed to manage patient data efficiently while integrating AI into healthcare a move that could revolutionize early cancer detection and treatment.

However, challenges remain, particularly in the development of policy frameworks to seamlessly integrate AI into Kenya’s healthcare system.

Beyond domestic hurdles, Kenya also faces external pressures in its fight against cancer. The country is now grappling with the impact of U.S. budget cuts to foreign health aid, stemming from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.

These funding cuts have created uncertainty, making it even more critical for Kenya to develop sustainable, homegrown solutions to reduce cancer fatalities.

Cancer is now the third leading cause of death in Kenya, with an estimated 42,000 new cases and 27,000 deaths annually according to the ministry of health.

These figures reflect the socioeconomic devastation when breadwinners fall sick or succumb to the disease, leaving families in financial ruin and despair.

Judith Achieng’, a resilient woman in her mid-40s and a mother of six, epitomizes this struggle.

Until recently, she was a vibrant businesswoman in her Shirere village in Kakamega County, managing a thriving stall at the nearby Masingo market and keeping her household running smoothly. Life for Judith was busy but full of purpose.

Judith Achieng’ at her Shirere home, Kakamega county

That was until a small, persistent pain in her chest changed everything. At first, Judith thought it was nothing but a passing discomfort she could ignore. But as days turned into weeks, the pain grew sharper, and a lump began to form in her breast.

It was during an evening with her family, as she tried to lift her youngest child, that she realized something was truly wrong. The lump felt larger, and the pain had become unbearable.

It was then her husband, a matatu tout, urged her to see a doctor. Reluctantly, Judith went to Kakamega Referral Hospital. That visit marked the beginning of an unexpected journey one that would test her strength and reshape her family’s life.

After examining her, the nurse requested further tests to be conducted at Oasis hospital.

“At Oasis, I was told the test would cost 28,500. I immediately informed my husband, who later took me to a herbalist. She gave me a full dose concoction, but there was no change. In fact, the lump continued to enlarge,” she said.

A year later, she went to a different hospital when the pain persisted.

That was the first time Judith heard the word “cancer” in her family, it was already at stage three. The doctor explained that the lump in her breast needed urgent attention it was likely a tumor, and surgery was her best option.

“I felt like the world stopped,” Judith recalls. “All I could think about were my children. What would happen to them if I didn’t survive?”

Judith underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy, each session reminding her of her determination to stay alive for her children.

She was advised to ensure her National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) contributions were up-to-date. With NHIF’s recent transition to a social health authority, the family was instructed to pay a year’s premium upfront. They pooled together all their savings to meet this requirement.

Judith Maloba at her home in Shirere, weeks after undergoing surgery

Months later, she underwent surgery. One of her breasts was removed to prevent the cancer from spreading further. When she woke up after the operation, the physical pain was matched only by the emotional toll.

“I felt like I had lost a part of myself,” Judith says softly. “But I kept reminding myself I’m still alive. My children still have their mother.”

With her health in decline, her market stall closed, and her family’s financial struggles mounting, Judith embodies the harsh reality of cancer in Kenya. Her husband’s modest income as a matatu tout is barely enough to cover their daily needs, let alone the cost of her ongoing care.

There are days when the family goes to bed hungry. “I see the worry in his eyes,” Judith says. “He tries so hard, but it’s not enough.”

Judith’s story is one of thousands across the country, fear and stigma around cancer remain pervasive, but new technology could change this narrative.

AI-powered cancer detection is already showing promise, particularly in areas with limited access to specialists.

Amina Faki, a radio journalist, demonstrating how the AI machine works in screening breast cancer with the help of a medic at Kinondo Kwetu Hospital, Kwale county

Hospitals like Kinondo Kwetu in Kwale County are leveraging AI for faster and more accurate screenings, helping to detect cancer in its early stages when treatment is most effective.

Harrison Kaingu, a medical laboratory scientist at Kinondo Kwetu, explains how AI is transforming cancer diagnosis. “With AI, we can detect pre-cancerous cells before they develop into full-blown cancer. Initially, we used AI as a research tool, but now we’ve integrated it into patient care,” he says.

For patients, the long wait for mammogram results can be agonizing. AI-driven diagnostics can shorten this wait time, ensuring faster interventions and potentially life-saving treatments.

“In fact, AI diagnosis is three times faster and nearly half the cost of traditional tests,” he added.

In Kwale County, women like Mwanahamisi Salim and Patience Kanga are embracing AI-driven screenings. “I traveled from Lungalunga after seeing AI cancer screening posters on WhatsApp,” says Patience. “At first, I was scared, but when I learned that AI provides immediate results, I decided to take the test.”

Mwanahamisi Salim, a Kwale resident, speaking to the media during a breast and cervical cancer screening event at Kinondo Kwetu Hospital

Mwanahamisi Salim, a mother of five, has today joined hundreds of women at Kinondo Kwetu Hospital for a free cancer screening.

“I’ve seen women suffer from breast cancer here,” she says. “That’s why I decided to come for screening. If it’s detected early, it can be treated.”

She had previously been screened for cervical cancer and was relieved to be clear. However, after seeing others diagnosed with breast cancer, she knew she couldn’t wait.

“Many women here use herbal medicine and only go to the hospital when it’s too late,” she explains. “I urge all women to come for screening. It’s free, and early detection could save your life.” Mwanahamisi said.

Studies have shown that AI algorithms can match or even surpass human radiologists in detecting abnormalities, reducing both false positives and negatives.

 

Harrison Kaingu, a medical laboratory scientist at Kinondo Kwetu Hospital addressing the media during a free cancer screening exercise last year.

Kaingu reports that last year, 2.5% of women screened in Kwale were diagnosed with cervical cancer. Now aiming to change that narrative through early diagnosis and treatment using AI “Our focus on these cancers aims to improve women’s health using the best technology for better treatment and care,” he says.

According to the Ministry of Health’s Deputy Director General, Dr. Sultani Matendechero, Kenya is actively embracing AI in healthcare. “We’ve piloted AI in managing skin diseases, and now we’re applying the same approach to cancer care,” he says. “AI will make specialized healthcare services more accessible, even in underserved regions. With technology, we can connect local doctors to global experts to collaboratively interpret diagnoses.”

Dr. Matendechero emphasized the potential of AI “We have policies in place to guide its integration, and our ongoing studies will inform future frameworks.”

He also noted the role of community health promoters in bridging the gap. “Our comprehensive community health strategy equips over 170,000 health promoters across the country with tools, including smartphones, to upload vital information to government systems. AI integration will empower these workers to deliver specialized care at the village level.”

Kaingu envisions AI as a partner to healthcare workers. “If you have 1,000 patients to screen, one pathologist can only do 20 slides a day. How long will it take to finish 1,000? that’s where AI comes in. With AI, slides can be digitized and stored for years, ready for retrieval and analysis whenever needed.”

Cancer patients, especially those in rural areas, are eagerly awaiting these advancements, hoping for faster diagnoses and more affordable treatment.

Many believe that AI-driven healthcare could alleviate their suffering by providing quicker, more accurate screening and reducing the financial strain of prolonged hospital visits.

AI’s potential in breast cancer detection is undeniable. By combining technology with human expertise, the future of healthcare in Kenya and beyond could be revolutionized, ensuring more women like Judith receive the timely care they need.

For Judith, AI’s promise is bittersweet. “They say AI can detect cancer early, even before a lump form,” she says wistfully. “If I had access to that, maybe I would still have both my breasts. Maybe my children wouldn’t have to see me like this.”

Despite her struggles, Judith is determined to raise awareness. “Please, don’t wait. Go for checkups. Even if you feel fine, go. Early detection can save your life—and your family.”

Judith’s journey is a testament to the importance of awareness and timely intervention. As Kenya continues to embrace AI in its healthcare system, stories like Judith’s may one day become a thing of the past, replaced by tales of survival and progress.

 

 

 

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