Radiotherapy Facility Opens at MTRH

Available care for cancer patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) expanded with the installation of radiotherapy equipment at the Chandaria Cancer and Chronic Diseases Centre (CCCDC).

MTRH is now offering palliative radiotherapy and plans to begin offering curative radiotherapy beginning in June. Brachytherapy (internal radiation) is also slated to commence soon.

Initiation of radiotherapy services was the culmination of work by many partners and donors. MTRH and the Kenya Ministry of Health provided staffing, land, VAT exemption and purchase of the equipment. Individual, corporate and foundation donations to Indiana University (IU), support from the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and from the Chandaria Foundation funded construction of the CCCDC and provided technical support. The International Atomic Energy Agency provided purchasing logistics and a 15 percent contribution of radiotherapy equipment purchase costs. Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Canada, IU, Brown University and other consortium partners provide technical support.

MTRH is now one of three public hospitals in Kenya with radiotherapy machines. A formal ceremony with all partners to celebrate the radiotherapy launch is anticipated when conditions allow.