Gertrude’s Hospital Warns of Childhood Cancer Funding Gap

The Kenya Childhood Cancer Programme by Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital has raised Kes. 63.44 million and supported 277 children in accessing cancer diagnosis and treatment, 50 of them in the 2024/2025 financial year alone. The milestone was celebrated at the 5^th Edition of Gertrude’s Hospital Cancer Walk, held on Saturday, 7 March at Uhuru Gardens, which saw 7,700 people register to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer care.

Despite the success of the programme, the hospital sounded the alarm over a widening funding gap that continues to put thousands of young lives at risk.

Speaking during the walk, Dr Robert Nyarango, CEO of Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, warned that the funding available to address Kenya’s growing paediatric cancer burden is far below what is required, contributing to preventable loss of life.

“It is alarming that the survival gap for children diagnosed with cancer in Kenya is compared to high-income countries. Only 1 in 5 children survives, compared to survival rates of up to 80% in higher-income nations. Over the past six years, since the inception of our annual cancer walk and golf tournament, we have managed to raise enough funds to help 277 children. But the burden is much greater. Limited diagnosis and treatment capacity means many children fall through the cracks and lose their lives,” said Dr Nyarango.

There are 3,000 – 3,200 new cases of childhood cancer each year in Kenya, most of which are not diagnosed, thus contributing to morbidity and mortality in the paediatric population. However, the true burden may be higher due to frequent misdiagnosis and the absence of a comprehensive national paediatric cancer registry.

Liza Nyaga, General Manager, Medical Insurance Broking, Zamara Group, the walk’s headline sponsor, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting vulnerable children through its continued partnership with Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital and the Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation.

“We believe that protecting futures is at the heart of everything we do, and no future is as precious as that of a child. Childhood cancer robs families of hope at the most fundamental level. Through this partnership, we are putting our resources behind a programme that genuinely saves lives. We’re proud to walk alongside this mission and urge even more people to join us,” said Ms. Nyaga.

The annual walk is the flagship fundraising event for the Kenya Childhood Cancer Programme by Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, which also includes golf events and corporate bowling tournaments.

“We call on everyone to support the activities of the Kenya Childhood Cancer Programme so that we can expand access to early diagnosis and treatment of cancer among children in Kenya,” added Dr. Nyarango.

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