The Social Health Authority (SHA) has launched a landmark Cancer Package designed to ensure that every Kenyan can access quality cancer care without facing financial hardship.
The new programme, announced as part of Kenya’s ongoing healthcare reforms under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) framework, marks a major step toward universal health coverage (UHC). It guarantees comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and support for cancer patients across the country.
According to SHA, the cancer package aims to make treatment “affordable, complete, and accessible — giving every Kenyan the care they need and the dignity they deserve.”
Under the new scheme, each cancer patient will receive KES 400,000 every year to cater for treatment and hospital costs. In cases of severe illness or complex conditions, patients will get an additional KES 150,000 in top-up support.
SHA also revealed that plans are already underway to increase the annual cover to KES 1 million, signaling the government’s intention to further expand access to cancer care.
This level of coverage means that for the first time, ordinary Kenyans can undergo life-saving treatment such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy without the crushing financial burden that often accompanies such illnesses.
Full Diagnostic Coverage
The new package takes a comprehensive approach to cancer care — starting right from the diagnostic stage.
SHA will fully cover biopsies, blood tests, MRI scans, CT scans, PET scans, and bone scans, ensuring that patients receive accurate and timely diagnosis.
Medical imaging services such as ultrasounds and mammograms are also included, with each household eligible for up to two sessions per year.
These tests, which are often prohibitively expensive in private hospitals, will now be available under the SHA scheme at approved facilities, bringing life-saving diagnostics closer to more Kenyans.
Comprehensive Treatment Plan
Once diagnosed, patients will have access to a wide range of treatments under the SHA Cancer Package. The Authority will pay for:
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Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
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Surgery for tumour removal and related procedures
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Hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy
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Palliative care for advanced stages of illness
This makes the SHA cover one of the most inclusive cancer treatment packages ever introduced in Kenya’s public health system.
Operations such as mastectomy for breast cancer and prostate surgery are fully covered, while post-surgical care and rehabilitation are supported through hospital partnerships.
Extra Support for Patients
Beyond major treatment procedures, SHA will also fund a range of supportive services that are essential for effective cancer care. These include:
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Lab tests for blood, liver, and kidney function to monitor treatment progress.
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Blood transfusions and specialized blood products for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
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Medical supplies such as chemotherapy pumps and stoma appliances.
These additional services ensure that patients are not forced to dig into their pockets for secondary costs, which often derail treatment and recovery.
Inpatient and ICU Care
Cancer treatment often requires hospitalization and, in some cases, intensive care. Under the new plan, SHA will pay for hospital stays and provide up to KES 28,000 per day for ICU care, for up to 12 days per hospital admission.
This provision is designed to protect families from catastrophic medical bills that frequently accompany severe or late-stage cancer cases.
How to Access the Cancer Package
SHA has outlined a simple three-step process for Kenyans seeking to access the new cancer care benefits:
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Visit a primary health facility for initial assessment.
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Obtain a referral to a higher-level hospital for specialized cancer treatment.
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Use only SHA-contracted hospitals and clinics to receive covered services.
This structured referral system ensures that patients are properly assessed, referred, and treated within accredited healthcare facilities that meet national quality standards.
SHA has also emphasized that the cancer package is available nationwide, including county referral hospitals, national hospitals, and selected private institutions that have signed agreements with the Authority.
Making Cancer Treatment Affordable for All
The SHA Cancer Package is part of a broader national health reform agenda that seeks to provide equitable access to healthcare for all Kenyans, regardless of income or location.
For years, cancer has been one of the leading causes of death in Kenya, with thousands of families pushed into poverty due to expensive diagnostic tests and treatment costs. Many patients have had to forego care altogether because they could not afford hospital bills or travel to specialized facilities.
With the introduction of the SHA package, the government hopes to reverse this trend.
“The SHA Cancer Package makes cancer treatment affordable, complete, and accessible — giving every Kenyan the care they need and the dignity they deserve,” the Authority said in a statement.