The government has assured there are enough drug supplies to last for at least six months, especially for cancer treatment, after the US announced withdrawal of its healthcare support.

Deputy Director General State Department for Medical Services Dr Isaac Kimani said government drug stores are fully stocked and the ministry is planning to raise more funds for further stocks.

Last week, the Donald Trump administration announced withdrawal of funding to the tune of Sh32 billion annually through the USAid-Kenya which is expected to have a far-reaching impact on healthcare provision and other services in the country.

Cancer Day fete
But Dr Kimani who was speaking during World Cancer Day celebrations at the Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) said the Ministry is working to increase funds for drug supplies through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority.

“We are working round the clock to ensure that by the time the six months elapse we have enough stocks and in the process we are planning to increase funding from various sources for purposes of covering the gaps,” said Dr Kimani.

At the same time, he said the Ministry of Health is reviewing the oncology insurance scheme to ensure it covers a higher percentage of bills incurred by cancer patients.

Insufficient cover
Dr Kimani, accompanied by the KU Referral hospital acting Chief Executive Dr Zainabu Gura and Board of Management Chairperson Kembi Gitura, said the government is aware that the current cover for cancer and other chronic diseases is insufficient.

However, he added that the Ministry is in the process of reviewing the benefit package to reduce amounts that patients pay out of pocket.

Benefits package
“As a ministry we are in the process of reviewing the oncology benefits package so that it can cover more though the Emergency, Critical and Chronic Illnesses Fund established by Parliament,” added the official.

This comes as families struggle to clear huge hospital bills since the amounts paid by the Social Health Authority (SHA) for treatment and management of the killer disease in most cases cater for only about 30 percent.

The official also acknowledged that there have been challenges of paying for patients seeking specialized treatment abroad, but the matter has been fully addressed.

He also divulged that the 34 cases of patients stranded abroad that were reported last week have been settled.

Dr Kimani further said there are estimated 45,000 new cancer cases every year with 29,000 deaths reported annualy. He attributed the deaths to late screening and diagnosis.

On her part, Dr Gura appealed to Kenyans to go for cancer screening without waiting to get sick because when the disease is detected early it is easier and cheaper to treat.