Radiotherapy milestone as RFH unveils advanced cancer treatment

As the world marked World Cancer Day under the theme “Closing the Care Gap,” RFH Healthcare Group commissioned Elekta Harmony Linear Accelerator at the RFH Cancer Center in Ruai.

The equipment provides radiation therapy with enhanced precision and productivity in cancer care treatment.

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The installation is the first Elekta Harmony system in sub-Saharan Africa.

The commissioning represents a major milestone for cancer care in Kenya and the region, reinforcing the country’s growing role as a regional hub for advanced oncology services.

The ceremony was presided over by the Founder and President of Elekta Harmony Dr Laurent Leksell, highlighting the global significance of the installation and RFH Healthcare’s commitment to international standards of care.

The Elekta Harmony Linear Accelerator is a state-of-the-art radiotherapy system designed to deliver highly precise, patient-centered treatment with improved accuracy, reduced treatment times, and better clinical outcomes.

Its introduction significantly expands access to modern radiotherapy services for patients who previously faced long waiting times, high costs, or the need to seek treatment outside the country.

Speaking during World Cancer Day, RFH Healthcare Managing Director Dr Maxwell Okoth emphasised that the commissioning goes beyond technology and reflects a broader commitment to equity in healthcare.

“World Cancer Day calls on us to close the care gap. Today’s commissioning is a practical response to that call — bringing advanced, life-saving cancer treatment closer to patients, regardless of their background or financial status,” Okoth said.

The event also featured a high-level dialogue on affordable cancer care, focusing on how advanced oncology services can be sustainably delivered within Kenya’s health system.

Discussions highlighted alignment with national priorities, including the Bottom-Up

Economic Transformation Agenda, the integration of Social Health Authority (SHA) coverage for radiotherapy services, and the implementation of a sustainable affordability model aimed at expanding access to treatment.

By commissioning the Elekta Harmony system on World Cancer Day, RFH Healthcare underscored the importance of policy, technology, and financing working together to reduce cancer-related inequalities

Clinics and health facilities are increasingly recognising that treating cancer effectively requires looking beyond the disease itself to address the emotional, social and economic challenges patients face.

Early screening, lifestyle awareness and holistic support can improve outcomes, while timely intervention remains a critical factor in survival.

Kenya records about 45,000 new cancer cases and nearly 29,000 cancer-related deaths every year, underscoring a growing public health burden.

According to WHO’s GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates and the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI), cancer is now among the leading causes of death in the country, driven largely by late diagnosis and limited access to care.

The most common cancers are breast, cervical, prostate, oesophageal and colorectal, which together account for nearly half of all cases.