Aga Khan University Hospital Unveils KES 800 M AI Radiotherapy for Cancer Patients
Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Nairobi has unveiled a KES 800 million artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled radiotherapy system aimed at improving the precision, speed, and effectiveness of cancer treatment.
The advanced TrueBeam Radiotherapy System significantly reduces treatment time while allowing clinicians to target tumors with exceptional accuracy, marking a major step forward in Kenya’s fight against cancer.
Faster and More Precise Cancer Treatment
The True beam system reduces conventional radiotherapy sessions to under 10 minutes, compared to the previous average of about 20 minutes, improving patient comfort and allowing the hospital to treat more patients efficiently.
The technology enables clinicians to target
tumors with sub-millimeter precision, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This reduces treatment side effects, enhances patient safety, and improves overall treatment outcomes.
According to the AKUH, the system is used to treat multiple cancers including breast, prostate, cervical, head and neck, lung, liver, brain, spinal, and pediatric tumors, as well as certain metastatic cancers requiring stereotactic radiotherapy.
Government Welcomes Investment in Cancer Care
Speaking during the launch, Abdulrazak Shaukat, Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation in the Ministry of Education (Kenya), commended the hospital for strengthening Kenya’s healthcare innovation ecosystem.
“In Kenya, we record approximately 42,000 new cancer cases every year, and access to quality treatment remains a critical gap,” he said.
Aga Khan University Hospital Unveils KES 800 M AI Radiotherapy for Cancer Patients
Shaukat noted that while the government has made progress in expanding radiotherapy facilities, collaboration between public and private institutions remains critical to advancing precision medicine and early diagnosis.
“We are therefore pleased to see Aga Khan University Hospital playing a critical role in advancing clinical excellence. Through such partnerships, we are steadily positioning Kenya as a regional hub for advanced healthcare, medical research, and innovation,” he added.
Rising Cancer Burden in Africa
Cancer continues to be a leading cause of death across the continent. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Africa recorded approximately 1.2 million new cancer cases in 2022, with the number projected to double to 2.4 million annually by 2045.
Rashid Khalani, Chief Executive Officer of AKUH, said the new technology strengthens the hospital’s commitment to expanding specialized cancer care across Sub-Saharan Africa.
“As a leader in healthcare innovation, we are proud to contribute to the transformation of cancer care across Sub-Saharan Africa by expanding access to specialised services,” he said.
Rare Technology in Africa
The TrueBeam radiotherapy technology remains rare on the African continent, with only a limited number of facilities offering the system in South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria.
Its installation at AKUH places the hospital among a small group of institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa providing next-generation radiotherapy treatment.
Khalani noted that 64 percent of cancer patients in Africa face the highest mortality-to-incidence ratio globally, compared with 26 percent in Western countries, highlighting the need for improved access to advanced care.
“With this technology, patients can now access world-class cancer treatment locally without the need to travel abroad,” he said.
Building on Earlier Cancer Innovations
AKUH has played a key role in advancing cancer diagnostics and treatment in East Africa. In 2018, the hospital became the first in the region to install a PET-CT scanner and cyclotron, enabling advanced molecular imaging and precision oncology.
Angela Waweru, Section Head of Radiotherapy at AKUH, said the new technology marks a significant improvement in treatment precision.
“TrueBeam allows us to deliver radiation with an unprecedented level of precision,” she said. “By minimizing exposure to nearby organs, we can reduce side effects and support faster recovery for our patients.”
Dr. Waweru added that the system represents a major upgrade from the linear accelerator technology the hospital has used for more than a decade.
“It aligns our radiotherapy services with global best practices and allows us to deliver faster, safer, and more accurate cancer care,” she said.
Strengthening Comprehensive Cancer Care
The introduction of the TrueBeam system reinforces AKUH commitment to delivering comprehensive, state-of-the-art cancer care, covering the entire treatment journey, from diagnosis to therapy and follow-up care while positioning Kenya as a regional center for advanced oncology services.
