More women in Kenya are lost to cervical cancer than any other cancer. That’s why it’s a key focus of our work in cancer care, along with breast cancer. We’ve set up screening clinics locally that screened approximately 200,000 Kenyan women for cervical and breast cancers. And we’re working to improve education about the importance of screening, follow-up, and prevention, not just for cancer but for the strongly linked Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

For patients with hematological conditions such as sickle cell disease, hemophilia, and multiple myeloma, follow-up care and regular access to treatment is critical. That’s why AMPATH has established rural outreach clinics for hematology patients to be seen on a weekly basis, and we’ve been able to host daily clinics at the AMPATH Centre. Additionally, we are supporting five county hospitals to conduct screenings, educate medical personnel and conduct research. Together with the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, we’re also training doctors and healthcare professionals in hematology as part of our exchange programs.

Before 2007, no treatment for pediatric cancer existed in Western Kenya. In 2010, AMPATH began oncology training opportunities for doctors, students, nurses, and other health care providers to test, diagnose, and treat pediatric cancer through collaboration with VU University Medical Centre in the Netherlands and Riley Children’s Hospital, Indiana University in the US. Childhood cancers must be aggressively treated early and effectively in the first round to help kids survive. AMPATH Oncology has dramatically reduced the time in diagnosis for cancers like Burkitt Lymphoma, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and Nephroblastoma among others, from multiple weeks to a few days.

The Telemedicine and Telepathology Center at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital is making a difference in remote areas of western Kenya by bringing medical care virtually to communities. Patients and families can now save on transportation costs and time that come with travel to clinics or the hospital. Fully trained oncology professionals and experts at the Centre can now connect remotely with rural clinics and care for patients who might not otherwise have had access to cancer care. The Centre also allows both local and international oncology specialists to conduct lectures, consultation and patient case reviews virtually, helping share knowledge from across our partnerships.

AMPATH Oncology is educating the next generation of cancer healthcare providers by providing extensive resources, mentoring and training programs for medical students, residents, fellows, nurses and more. In 2017, a formal Preceptorship Program for oncology training was established. The program provides resources for physicians continuing to build their skills and broadens opportunities for the highest-quality care across the continuum of prevention, treatment, palliative care, and survivorship. In addition to academic and clinical training, the program is developing a center of excellence and increasing oncology research capacity.