𝐒𝐄𝐍. 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

Nominated Senator Veronica Maina has sought a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health on a matter of national concern regarding interventions by the Ministry of Health for breast cancer screening and affordable treatment, as the country observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

The Senator noted that high treatment costs, limited access to screening and oncology services, and shortages of specialised personnel and diagnostic equipment continue to hinder early detection and timely treatment, particularly in rural counties.

In the Statement, the Senator wants the Committee to provide the current breast cancer statistics in the country, based on data maintained by the Ministry of Health and the National Cancer Registry, including annual new cases, incidence rates and deaths, disaggregated by county.

The Committee should also outline the measures being taken by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with county governments, to prioritise budgetary allocations for comprehensive oncology services and ensure a reliable supply of essential cancer medicines.

Additionally, the Committee should explain the measures to expand access to affordable and subsidised cancer screening services at the community level to facilitate early detection and timely treatment.

Further, the Committee should state the measures being taken to address gaps in oncology infrastructure and shortages of specialised healthcare personnel and diagnostic equipment, particularly in rural counties.