GHI Kenya

May 15, 2024 marked a significant milestone for global health collaboration as GHI Kenya joined U.S. partners at the University of Kansas Medical Center to share groundbreaking strategies in cervical and breast cancer prevention. This knowledge exchange underscored the strength and relevance of Kenya’s public health innovations on the global stage.

May Maloba, CEO of GHI Kenya and a PhD candidate in Nursing at KUMC, and Dr. Gregory Ganda, Consultant on the CATSystem Project and Kisumu County Minister for Health, led a compelling presentation on community-based approaches that are transforming cancer screening and treatment outcomes in Kenya.

Key Innovations Shared:

• At-home HPV self-sampling: Already rolled out successfully across Kenyan communities, this approach was recently approved by the FDA in the U.S., validating Kenya’s leadership in accessible, patient-centered screening.

• House-to-house HPV vaccination campaigns: An equity-first strategy ensuring that women and girls in even the most remote areas are not left behind in cancer prevention efforts.

May Maloba also shared her research on the crucial role of male partner support during cervical cancer treatment, revealing how family dynamics can significantly influence treatment adherence and outcomes—an often underexplored yet vital aspect of cancer care.

“We’re proud to see Kenyan-led strategies informing global best practices,” said May Maloba. “Our community-driven approach not only works, it scales, and it transforms lives.”

Hosted by the KUMC Office of International Programs, KU Cancer Center – Cancer Prevention & Control, and the Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, this event was a powerful reminder that global health is a reciprocal journey, where every community, regardless of geography, has insights to share.

At GHI Kenya, we remain committed to advancing health equity through innovation, research, and international collaboration. The success of our CATSystem (Cancer Tracking System) project, in partnership with local and international stakeholders, reflects the impact of our shared vision for a cancer-free future.