Isiolo Faces Urgent Gaps in Cervical Cancer Prevention and Care
Isiolo County is grappling with major gaps in cervical cancer prevention and care, with health stakeholders raising alarm over low screening rates, limited treatment capacity, and persistent myths that continue to hinder progress.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) held in Isiolo, health officials warned that the county remains far below global targets set by the World Health Organization.
The WHO recommends a three-pronged approach to eliminate cervical cancer: vaccinating 90 percent of girls, screening 70 percent of women, and ensuring timely treatment for those diagnosed.
Isiolo’s performance remains significantly below these benchmarks. Data presented at the forum showed that only 3 percent of women in the county were screened for cervical cancer last year. This is despite the national burden, where an estimated 10 women die every day from the disease.
Health officials emphasized that vaccination efforts targeting girls aged 10 to 14 are critical in reversing this trend. Encouragingly, 427 children in Isiolo received the HPV vaccine through school-based programs last year. However, uptake remains low due to political influence, misinformation, and cultural barriers.
Isiolo County Reproductive Health Deputy Director Asha Diba noted that myths and resistance continue to slow progress.
“Uptake of HPV vaccines targeting girls aged between 10–14 years remains affected by political influences, misinformation, and cultural barriers, including infertility myths and resistance from some religious leaders,” she said.
Screening data further highlights the urgency of expanding services. Out of 625 women tested, 84 were found to be HPV positive.
Health officials noted that more than 90 percent of those screened were reached through public screening drives, indicating that very few women voluntarily seek screening at health facilities.
The National Cancer Institute Kenya continues to advocate for a nationwide push to ensure that every eligible girl is vaccinated and every woman screened.
Local leaders say efforts to address cultural resistance are getting intensified. Ahmed Set, chairperson of the Interfaith group, said community attitudes are gradually changing and called for stronger involvement of faith-based institutions in awareness campaigns.
Similarly, National Council of Churches of Kenya chairperson Nathan Maingi pledged support for increased public education on NCDs.
“The public needs to be aware of early signs of NCDs, the dangers they pose, and the medical solutions available,” Maingi said.
He added, “The public should also be sensitized on referral pathways so that they can benefit from medical insurance services.”
Isiolo’s health system continues to face serious infrastructural and operational challenges. The county lacks a fully equipped pathology laboratory, forcing biopsy samples to be sent to Nairobi. This results in delays, with test results taking up to three to four weeks.
Chemotherapy services are also limited. Although staff trained in oncology and palliative care are available, they are yet to be fully deployed. Stakeholders further observed concerns from patients regarding how healthcare personnel handle cases, pointing to the need for improved patient care and psychological support services.
Access to care is further complicated by gaps in the Social Health Authority coverage. SHA does not fully cover outpatient services, with only 30% of isiolo residents enrolled for the government health insurance.
This also leaves most cancer patients seeking care forced to pay out of pocket.
While some level two and three facilities accept SHA, inconsistencies persist, and lower-level hospitals often lack supplies from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and proper personnel.
Health officials however urge communities to begin treatment at level one and level two facilities to improve referral efficiency and benefit from SHA as they seek treatment.
Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to strengthen healthcare delivery. A new cancer and oncology wing is set to be constructed at Isiolo Level Five Hospital by the Kenya National Highways Authority in partnership with the European Union. The facility is expected to expand treatment capacity, including chemotherapy services, which are currently administered in three-month cycles. A palliative care center is already operational at the hospital.
Beyond cancer, Isiolo is also facing a broader rise in non-communicable diseases. With a population of 283,313, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2021), NCDs now account for 39 percent of deaths in the county. These diseases are placing a heavy economic burden on households due to the high cost of long-term treatment and medication.
Integrated services introduced at the Hiduma Centre in Isiolo town are helping improve early detection and prevention. These services include glucose testing, blood pressure monitoring, BMI checks, and nutrition education.
Health officials stressed that cancer screening is meant for healthy individuals, not just those showing symptoms, underscoring the need for sustained public sensitization.
As Isiolo works to strengthen its health system through digitization, multisectoral cooperation, and expanded infrastructure, experts warn that without urgent investment in screening, vaccination, and treatment, cervical cancer will remain a leading—and preventable—cause of death among women in the county.
