The Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill, 2023
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
Telemedicine and e-Health Formally Defined and Promoted
The Bill introduces formal definitions for 'e-Health' and 'telemedicine' into Section 2 of the Cancer Prevention and Control Act, 2012. It mandates the National Cancer Institute to promote these electronic and telecommunication technologies to facilitate consultative, diagnostic, and treatment services for cancer patients over distances.
Cancer Treatment Integrated into Primary Healthcare
The amendment expands the statutory functions of the National Cancer Institute under Section 5 to officially promote the treatment of persons with cancer as a core component of primary healthcare services.
New Collaborative Training for Oncology Specialists
Under a new sub-section added to Section 31, the National Cancer Institute is required to collaborate with the national government department responsible for public health to promote specialized training. The training targets multiple oncology disciplines, including medical, pediatric, radiation, and radiation therapy oncologists, alongside oncology nurses and oncology physicists.
Bill No.
No. 19 of 2023
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 69
Sponsor
Sabina Chege
Background
The Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to amend the Cancer Prevention and Control Act, 2012 (No. 15 of 2012). The bill's main objective is to provide for the training of specialized oncology medical cadres, integrate cancer treatment as part of primary healthcare, and authorize the use of e-health and telemedicine to improve reach and delivery of cancer care services.
Key Amendments
The Bill proposes specific changes to three key sections of the Principal Act:
- Section 2 (Interpretation): Adds definitions for 'e-Health' (the combined use of electronic communication and information technology in the health sector) and 'telemedicine' (the provision of health care services and sharing of medical knowledge over distance using telecommunications).
- Section 5 (Functions of the Institute): Amends the functions of the National Cancer Institute to promote the use of e-health and telemedicine in cancer prevention and treatment, and to promote cancer treatment as a component of primary healthcare.
- Section 31 (Cancer prevention and control to form part of health care): Inserts a new sub-section (3) to mandate structured collaborative training programs for specialized oncology healthcare providers.
New Obligations
The Bill places the following obligations on the National Cancer Institute of Kenya:
- Technology Integration: The Institute must promote e-health and telemedicine platforms to facilitate diagnostic, consultative, and treatment support for persons with cancer.
- Specialized Personnel Training: The Institute must collaborate with the national government department responsible for public health to promote training for:
- Medical oncologists
- Pediatric oncologists
- Radiation oncologists
- Radiation therapy oncologists
- Oncology nurses
- Oncology physicists and other healthcare providers
No updates tracked yet
Updates will be visible here once they are approved and applied to this bill.