Women’s cancer has been elevated to a national priority by Kenya’s Ministry of Health. By 2028, the National Cancer Control Strategy aims to cut the death rate from breast and cervical cancer by one-third. One of the main forces behind achieving this objective would be the Afya Dada Project. Afya Dada, which translates to “health for sisters” in Swahili, is an initiative that aims to change the way that cancer is prevented and treated for women in Kenya.
The Afya Dada Project aims to decentralize cancer services by using a systems approach. Starting in the Kenyan counties of Machakos and Uasin Gishu, it has developed a scalable and sustainable model with plans to expand and duplicate the project in additional high-burden areas.
As part of the initial implementation phase, a team of professionals from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center came to Kenya to collaborate with over 20 local specialists, including breast surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, gynecologic oncologists, nurses, and master trainers. Together, they examined and revised Kenya’s national training programs for early diagnosis and screening for breast and cervical cancer. The materials were organized into evidence-based, locally relevant, and purpose-fit resources for community health promoters, healthcare professionals, and trainers.
The World Economic Forum’s Global Alliance for Women’s Health, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Siemens Healthineers, Xenco Medical, AstraZeneca, and Kenya’s Ministry of Health have partnered to create the Afya Dada Project.
The objective is to develop a more robust, intelligent, and long-lasting cancer care system for Kenya. These partners will help Kenya’s cancer prevention and care ecosystem by providing financial resources as well as a combination of technical know-how, creative solutions, and capacity-building assistance.
“This is a true example of a shared-value approach,” Kevin Massoudi, VP & Head of Public Sector Engagement, MEA at Siemens Healthineers, says of the Afya Dada Project. “Everyone brings something to the table to solve a collective interest and challenge.”
“By strengthening local capacity and capabilities, improving access to screening and diagnostics, empowering patients, and creating innovative access models for cancer treatments, we are dedicated to closing gaps across the care pathway,” says Deepak Arora, Country President, AstraZeneca and African Cluster.
This activity is kept rooted in grassroots reality, global knowledge, and local leadership by a committed team. Afya Dada’s effectiveness and uniqueness stem from this equilibrium. This collaborative endeavor aims to build a health system that genuinely serves Kenyans both now and in the future, even if it is intended to outlast any one collaboration.
