In a milestone moment for Kenya’s healthcare landscape, AstraZeneca and the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUHN) have announced a transformative partnership that will expand access to BRCA1/2 genetic testing—ushering in a new era of precision oncology for the region.
The collaboration, supported by Cancer Care Africa, AstraZeneca’s health equity initiative, represents far more than a medical advancement: it is a strategic investment in early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and long-term population resilience, aligning Kenya with global standards of cancer care.
A Rising National and Regional Priority
Cancer remains one of Kenya’s most pressing health challenges, responsible for nearly 7% of all deaths nationwide—an estimated 32,000 lives lost every year, with over 44,000 new cases. Across East Africa, the rise in cancer diagnoses is even more dramatic, driven by late detection and longstanding gaps in diagnostic infrastructure.
The introduction of widely accessible BRCA testing is therefore both timely and necessary.
Dr. Khomotso Mashilane, Medical Director for AstraZeneca’s Africa Cluster, emphasized the human impact at the heart of the initiative: “Behind every cancer diagnosis is a family searching for answers and hope. Expanding access to clinically validated BRCA testing is essential to improving early diagnosis and ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate, evidence-based care.”
Her words highlight the partnership’s purpose: to strengthen the cancer ecosystem from the ground up.
Diagnostics: The Foundation of Modern Healthcare
For decades, AKUHN has stood as a regional benchmark for international-standard healthcare. Through this partnership, the Hospital will now offer high-quality BRCA 1/2 testing at a significantly more accessible cost, reducing one of the biggest barriers to precision medicine in Africa.
Prof. Shahin Sayed, Chair and Director of Laboratory Medicine at AKUHN, noted that diagnostics define outcomes: “Diagnostics are the backbone of healthcare… through this partnership, we will ensure patients who need precision diagnostics can access them without financial hardship.”
Stronger diagnostics mean earlier identification, more accurate risk assessment, and greater survival rates—especially for cancers where BRCA mutations are clinically decisive.
National Alignment and Long-Term Vision
The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) welcomed the initiative as fully aligned with its strategies.
Dr. Elias Melly, CEO of NCI-K, remarked that strengthening diagnostic capacity remains a top national priority, adding that early detection is essential to ensuring equitable access to quality care across the country.
This partnership reinforces Kenya’s commitment to future-ready healthcare—anchored in innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.
A New Standard for Precision Medicine in Africa
BRCA1/2 testing holds profound implications for a wide range of cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic. Integrating these tests into routine care is expected to significantly enhance personalized treatment planning and support the use of targeted therapies.
According to Dr. Gladwell Kiarie, President of KESHO, “Molecular diagnostics are essential to modern cancer care. By expanding access to BRCA testing, this partnership closes a critical gap in Kenya’s oncology landscape.”
The initiative also sets a precedent for scalable precision medicine models across Africa—building a continuum of care that prioritizes prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship.
A Partnership Rooted in Equity and Excellence
AstraZeneca’s global commitment to health equity and AKUHN’s legacy of world-class patient-centred care converge powerfully in this new collaboration. Together, they aim to democratize access to cutting-edge diagnostics, uplift clinical outcomes, and create a replicable framework for precision oncology across the continent.
This partnership signals a profound shift: Kenya is not simply catching up with global standards—it is shaping the future of cancer care in Africa.
