Cancer is a silent storm sweeping Kenya and affecting thousands of lives yearly. With the Ministry of Health reporting approximately 42,000 new diagnoses annually, the disease has become the third leading cause of death in the East African country. The rising issue of cancer has left countless families in Kenya devastated, worried about not just the illness but also the financial strain attached to accessing quality treatment.
Catherine Nyongesa is globally recognised as Kenya’s first female radiation oncologist. She acquired her medical degree from the University of Nairobi and specialised in Radiation Oncology with further training in South Africa. While attending the University of Nairobi’s medical school, her younger sister was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Witnessing her sister’s battle ignited a passion within her to specialise in oncology, aiming to alleviate the pain of cancer patients.
Nyongesa identified the urgent need to create a system for accessing cancer care in Kenya. So, she founded the Texas Cancer Centre in Nairobi in 2010. The centre was established to provide specialised cancer treatment services, recognising the critical need for professional care to enhance cancer patient survival rates.
Since its inception, the Texas Cancer Centre has made significant strides in cancer treatment. They have provided care to nearly 30,000 new cancer patients, leveraging the expertise of skilled oncology professionals. The facility offers a wide range of services, including Advanced chemotherapy and radiotherapy to improve survival rates. Palliative care services are also provided in the care centre to enhance the quality of life for patients.
Catherine Nyongesa and her team of professionals are working hard to ensure that patients receive holistic treatment under one roof. According to reports, the facility started with a Ksh 100 million ($773,988) loan, but it is now worth over Ksh1 billion ($7.8 million). Today, Nyongesa is considered among the Top 23 female billionaires in Kenya.
The Texas Cancer Centre offers 24/7 in-patient services, ensuring patients can access critical care and support whenever needed. Beyond treatment, it consistently organises programmes for patient education, awareness campaigns, and support groups, creating a community forum where patients and their families are encouraged and exposed to the proper knowledge of the disease.
Catherine Nyongesa has employed over 70 full-time staff members. These professionals are responsible for managing more than 150 outpatients daily. In July 2017, Texas Cancer expanded its services into four locations in Nairobi and Eldoret. Nyongesa has transformed cancer care in Kenya and changed the myth of cancer being a death sentence.
