BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, has partnered with the Nairobi County Health Ministry to launch a large-scale mobilisation of women for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) screening using BD’s newly FDA-approved self-collection technology.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), the Nairobi County Government, and Healthstrat, this initiative seeks to raise awareness and improve access to cervical cancer screening for women in Nairobi, particularly in marginalised and underserved communities where the disease burden is highest.
According to the NCI-K, Cervical Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Kenya, with an estimated 3,211 deaths annually. Globally, cervical cancer claims the lives of over 341,000 women every year, with 90% of those deaths occurring in low- and lower-middle-income countries like Kenya.
This initiative seeks to transform cervical cancer prevention in Kenya by empowering women to self-screen in a private, safe, and convenient setting, breaking down long-standing barriers to access. Despite the availability of effective screening methods, efforts to combat the disease in vulnerable populations have been hindered by cultural stigmas, limited access to healthcare professionals, and infrastructural challenges.
The success of this mobilisation hinges on the efforts of over 700 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who have been trained to deliver key health services in their communities. These front-line health workers play an essential role in Kenya’s National Cancer Control Strategy, which emphasises early detection, screening, and linking individuals to care. By involving CHPs, this initiative supports the Ministry of Health’s broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.
“This project is possible thanks to key stakeholder collaboration. By working with Community Health Promoters, we continue to ensure that women can access the kits and crucial information to fight cervical cancer. Our mandate is to partner in executing the Ministry’s strategy, focusing on early detection and capacity building across the healthcare system,” said Dr. Andrew Nyandigisi, the CEO of Healthstrat.
BD’s innovative self-collection technology empowers women to overcome stigma and logistical barriers to screening. This is a key step toward eliminating cervical cancer.
Speaking at the forum, Dr Irene Muchoki, Chief Officer Medical Services for Nairobi County, emphasized the importance of the campaign, stating, “This is a significant milestone in the fight to eliminate cervical cancer in Nairobi and Kenya at large. The role of CHPs in reaching vulnerable populations is crucial to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and addressing health inequities in both urban and rural areas.”
“Kenya faces significant challenges in meeting the World Health Organization‘s cervical cancer elimination targets, which call for 70% of women between 35-45 to be screened. Currently, only 17% of Kenyan women have ever undergone screening, leaving millions at risk. BD’s initiative aims to significantly boost these numbers by providing women with the tools and confidence to take charge of their health, stated Caitlin Asjes, BD Senior Global Director, Public Health.
“This HPV self-screening mobilisation marks an important step in the ongoing efforts to reduce cervical cancer mortality rates and the cancer burden in Kenya and highlights the importance of partnerships between private sector innovators and government health bodies in tackling the country’s most pressing healthcare challenges,” Caitlin concluded.
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