A Kitengela family is in a race against time to raise KSh 6.9 million for their three-year-old son, Fabian Mutisya, who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2023. The funds are required for a critical kidney transplant procedure in India, a destination many Kenyans turn to for specialized medical care. The boy's father, Vincent Kennedy Mutua, a former primary school teacher, was compelled to leave his job to provide the round-the-clock care his son requires.

The family's ordeal began in 2023 when they noticed an inflammation on the right side of their son's stomach. A subsequent diagnosis at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) confirmed kidney cancer, leading to a grueling regimen of over 15 chemotherapy sessions. Mr. Mutua described the profound emotional, physical, and mental toll the illness has taken on the family, forcing them to sell personal assets, including their car, to cover the escalating medical expenses.

The Prohibitive Cost of Childhood Cancer

The Mutisya family's struggle is a stark illustration of a broader crisis in Kenya's healthcare system. Cancer is the third leading cause of death in the country, and for children, the prognosis is often grim. An estimated 3,200 new pediatric cancer cases are diagnosed annually, though the actual number is believed to be higher due to underreporting and misdiagnosis. The survival rate for childhood cancers in Kenya is a mere 20-30%, a stark contrast to the 80-90% survival rates in high-income countries.

Several factors contribute to these poor outcomes, but the exorbitant cost of treatment is a primary barrier. A 2021 study published in the journal *Cancer* found that the cost of childhood cancer treatment is highest in Kenya compared to several other African nations, with medications accounting for nearly 40% of the total expense. For many families, the financial burden is insurmountable, leading to incomplete treatment or the decision not to seek care at all.

Navigating Healthcare and Insurance Gaps

While the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) provides some coverage for cancer, its limits often fall short of the total cost. The standard NHIF cancer coverage is capped at KSh 600,000, with specific limits per chemotherapy or radiotherapy session. For instance, first-line chemotherapy is capped at KSh 25,000 per session, while some treatments can cost up to KSh 150,000 per session. This significant gap forces families to pay out-of-pocket or abandon treatment once their benefits are exhausted.

The concentration of specialized pediatric oncology units in a few urban hospitals, such as KNH and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), further complicates access for rural populations. This centralization leads to long travel distances, extended waiting times, and additional financial strains on families already struggling.

In response to these systemic challenges, public fundraising has become a critical, albeit precarious, lifeline. Platforms like M-Changa have emerged to facilitate transparent appeals for medical bills, which constitute 40% of their campaigns. The Mutisya family's appeal is one of thousands, reflecting a healthcare landscape where community support is often the last resort for accessing life-saving treatment.

How to Help

The family has appealed to the public for financial support to meet their KSh 6.9 million target for the surgery and associated costs in India. Well-wishers can channel their contributions through M-Pesa Paybill number 4247822. For further inquiries, the family can be reached at 0741308999.