Kenya has made a historic stride in the fight against cancer with the introduction of advanced nuclear therapy treatment, a revolutionary procedure now available at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH).
The treatment, known as theranostics, uses radioactive medicine injected directly into cancerous tumours to destroy them from within, sparing healthy body tissues and reducing side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Speaking during a training session for specialists at KUTRRH, Dr. Harish Nagaraj, Head of Nuclear Medicine at the hospital, said the innovation primarily targets cancers such as prostate and breast cancer, which often resist conventional treatment methods.
“This is a game-changer in cancer management. Although each cycle costs around Ksh 1.3 million, the precision and safety of this therapy make it worth the investment,” said Dr. Nagaraj. Patients typically require between four and six cycles.
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including Dr. Janke Kleynhans and Prof. Jan Zeevaart, described the therapy as one of the safest and most effective globally, as it targets only affected cells and is safely excreted afterward.
Deputy Director in the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, Dr. Frank Sawanga, urged Kenyans to embrace nuclear science and reject misconceptions linking it to radiation danger, noting its life-saving benefits in medicine.
KUTRRH Chief Executive Dr. Zainab Gura reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to lead nuclear medicine in the region, while Dr. Andrew Toro from the Department of Medical Services revealed plans to have the treatment included under the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance cover.
With this milestone, Kenya becomes the first country in East Africa to adopt nuclear cancer therapy marking a new era of innovation, hope, and precision in cancer care.
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