Quiet corridors at Kenyatta National Hospital often tell stories that never make it into official reports. Early each morning, patients and caregivers queue with files clutched tightly to their chests, hoping today will be different from yesterday.
Some have travelled hundreds of kilometres, others have sold property or borrowed heavily, all united by a shared expectation that a national referral hospital will offer relief in their most vulnerable moments.
But for many cancer patients, that hope is increasingly tested. Behind the walls of KNH’s oncology unit, complaints are mounting over persistent shortages of essential cancer drugs.
Patients say they are frequently sent away with prescriptions they cannot fill within the hospital, forcing them to seek medication from private pharmacies at significantly higher costs.
For families already drained emotionally and financially, the situation has become unbearable. Caregivers recount days spent moving from one office to another, only to be told that crucial chemotherapy drugs or supportive medication are unavailable.
Others say treatment schedules are disrupted, raising fears about disease progression and reduced chances of recovery.
Adding to the strain is the Sh400,000 annual cancer cover provided under the national health insurance scheme. Patients argue that while the cover offers some relief, it is far from sufficient.
Many say the amount is exhausted long before the year ends, especially for those requiring prolonged chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or specialised drugs. Once the cover runs out, patients are left to pay out of pocket or abandon treatment altogether.
Medical experts warn that interrupted cancer treatment can have devastating consequences.
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Delays or missed doses, they say, may reduce the effectiveness of therapy and compromise patient outcomes. Advocacy groups have also raised concerns that drug shortages in public hospitals push vulnerable patients deeper into poverty, contradicting the promise of affordable universal healthcare.
In response to growing public pressure, the government has acknowledged the challenges facing cancer patients. Authorities have promised to double the oncology cover from Sh400,000 to Sh800,000, a move they say will ease the financial burden on patients and improve access to treatment.
Officials insist the planned increase reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening cancer care and supporting affected families.
However, patients and health activists remain cautious. They argue that increasing insurance cover alone will not solve the crisis unless drug supply chains are fixed and public hospitals are adequately stocked.
For those waiting in KNH’s corridors, the promises offer hope but only action will determine whether that hope translates into lifesaving care.
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