Faster cancer treatment now at Coast General hospital

The number of patients receiving cancer treatment at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) in Mombasa is expected to double following the installation of a second Linear Accelerator (LINAC) radiotherapy machine at the facility.

The additional machine, installed at the Regional Cancer Centre, will significantly increase radiotherapy capacity, reduce waiting times, and lessen the financial and logistical burden on patients from the Coast region and beyond. The LINAC machines are equipped with advanced technology that allows for more precise targeting of tumours, minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue and reducing the number of hospital visits required.

Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital is the principal referral hospital for the Coast region and hosts the only public radiotherapy facility in the area, making it a critical pillar of the country’s cancer care system.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif announced the development during a visit to the centre on Thursday, January 29, 2026. He said the facility plays a vital role in addressing cancer care needs in the county and neighbouring regions, noting that demand had consistently outstripped capacity when the hospital relied on a single LINAC machine.

“I am pleased to inform the public that a second LINAC cancer treatment machine has now been fully installed, is operational, and is already treating patients,” the governor said.

Health Cabinet Minister Aden Duale during a visit to the Regional Cancer Centre at the Coast General Hospital

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who also spoke at the event, said the national government, working in collaboration with county governments, is strengthening measures to ensure the quality and sustainability of cancer care across the country.

He noted that the oncology benefits package under the Social Health Authority has been enhanced to cover up to Sh800,000 per household. Duale added that ongoing health financing reforms are yielding measurable results, with more than 29 million Kenyans now registered under the Social Health Authority.

The Cabinet Secretary commended the Regional Cancer Centre for significantly reducing the need for patients to travel to Nairobi for radiotherapy services. “The centre reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to decentralise specialised healthcare and bring life-saving services closer to communities,” he said.

Established by the national government in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the centre serves at least 75 patients daily and is one of three key public cancer treatment facilities in the country.

As part of broader efforts to build a healthier and more resilient nation, Duale urged Kenyans to prioritise regular cancer screening and adopt preventive measures, emphasising that early detection remains critical in the fight against cancer.

Also present at the event were the Head of the Regional Cancer Centre, Dr Fatma Al Amoody, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, and other senior Ministry of Health officials.