The Ministry of Health recorded just 9,173 chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions against an annual target of 47,646, raising questions over the delivery of specialised cancer care.
The shortfall reported in the Controller of Budget’s National Government Budget Implementation Review Report for the 2025-26 financial year, means the State Department for Medical Services achieved only 19 per cent of its planned oncology sessions by June 30, 2026.
The report identifies the performance gap as one of several areas where the department fell short of its service delivery targets, despite a substantial allocation to the wider health sector.
The report did not say why the oncology target was missed or how many patients were affected. However, the findings raise questions about the department’s ability to translate public spending into planned specialised medical services.
The health sector received a revised allocation of Sh164.92 billion in the financial year, up from Sh135.2 billion in 2024-25. Out of this, it spent Sh157.2 billion, equivalent to 95 per cent of the revised gross budget, according to the report.
The State Department for Medical Services received Sh127.19 billion, while the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards was allocated Sh37.72 billion.
Cancer treatment was not the only specialised service to miss its annual target. The department recorded 1,023 cardiothoracic surgeries against a target of 1,519, a shortfall of 496 procedures.
At the same time, it exceeded its target for minimally invasive surgeries, recording 9,852 against a planned 7,005.
The report also points to implementation gaps in medical equipment and infrastructure programmes.
The Health Infrastructure and Equipment sub-programme, which covers specialised medical equipment, spent Sh2.98 billion of its Sh4.11 billion allocation, an absorption rate of 73 per cent. This was the lowest among the department’s listed sub-programmes.
The Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health programme absorbed 78 per cent of its allocation, while immunisation management recorded an absorption rate of 82 per cent.
The wider performance review also identifies delays in the supply of medical products and technologies to public health facilities. The order fill rate stood at 81 per cent against a target of 90 per cent, while the average order turnaround time was 27.9 days against a target of 10 days.
The report’s findings come as the government continues to place health financing and service delivery at the centre of its health-sector reforms.
The Kenya Kwanza administration is implementing the ambitious overhaul of the healthcare system under the Universal Health Coverage agenda.
The reforms include replacing NHIF with SHA, establishing dedicated funds for primary healthcare and chronic illnesses, digitising health services and investing in specialised medical equipment.
The government has also proposed expanding financial support for cancer patients, with eligible beneficiaries potentially accessing up to Sh800,000 annually through combined SHA and chronic-care benefits.