Varian, a leading American cancer equipment and treatment company has signed a partnership agreement with Mediheal Group of Hospitals to expand access to radiotherapy in Kenya. This comprehensive partnership agreement includes the supply of advanced linear accelerators to five new radiotherapy centers across Kenya, as well as service, training and research collaboration opportunities.
A Linear accelerator (LINAC) is a device most commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer treating all parts/organs of the body. It delivers high-energy x-rays or electrons to the region of the patient’s tumor. These treatments can be designed in such a way that they destroy the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissue.
According to the World Health Organization, the cancer burden is growing rapidly in Kenya. Currently over 40,000 patients are diagnosed with cancer each year in the country.
“Supplying equipment is only part of the solution,” said Varian President and CEO, Dow Wilson. “By partnering with a visionary hospital network like Mediheal, we seek to address the entire cancer care continuum, from human capacity development to treatment to long-term sustainability.”
The signing ceremony was witnessed by U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce Gil Kaplan, who led the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) delegation to Ethiopia, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Varian CEO Dow Wilson is a member of the PAC-DBIA. Health leaders from the Kenyan government also joined the signing ceremony, including Cabinet Secretary of Health Sicily Kariuki and Principal Secretary of Health Peter Tum.
“The Ministry of Health will also leverage the centers once established so that they can contribute to improved cancer care and evidence-based policy development,” remarked Cabinet Secretary Kariuki during the event.
Over the next seven years, Varian and Mediheal will work together to realize the goals of the agreement. “Varian and Mediheal’s partnership is the beginning of the fight against cancer in Kenya,” stated Hon. Dr. S.R. Mishra, Mediheal Chairman.
Varian is a leader in developing and delivering cancer care solutions and is focused on creating a world without fear of cancer. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Varian employs approximately 7,000 people around the world.
Mediheal Group started its first facility in Eldoret in 2004 its now with multiple branches serving same objective of practicing the modern medicine in all the sub-specialties of medical fraternity with advanced Infrastructure. It has now expanded to have facilities in Kigali.
