Population Services Kenya (PS Kenya)

If selected, Population Services Kenya will use the elevate prize funding to scale up the ‘Screen and Treat model’ for early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. This is a simple, inexpensive and impactful model that incorporates:

1. Increasing knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer prevention and benefits of early detection
2. Cervical cancer screening using visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA) which detects early cell changes that are visible when using a speculum to inspect the cervix with the naked eye after applying dilute (3–5%) acetic acid to it.
3. Enhancing access to and uptake of treatment through treatment of positive lesions  cryotherapy and referral of  suspicious cases for further diagnosis and  alternative treatment in referral facilities

Cervical Cancer is a leading cause of cancer related deaths in Kenya and the 2nd most common cancer among females. (GLOBOCAN, 2018). Cancer cases continue to grow every year, however, the survival rate is close to 100% when precancerous changes are found and treated making this intervention increasingly relevant and paramount in preventing cancer associated deaths. Using Elevate prize money PS Kenya will screen 30,000 women, treat over 250 women with cryotherapy and refer all advanced level clients for prompt treatment.

PS Kenya is the leader in strengthening health markets, empowering Kenyans to make healthy choices with a mission to improve the health of Kenyans by promoting functional and sustainable systems and increasing access to quality health solutions. We use private sector techniques to strengthen health markets by increasing demand and access to quality and affordable health information, products and services across all the 47 counties in Kenya.  PS Kenya utilizes social behaviour change, service delivery and social marketing strategies to addressing serious health priorities in reproductive health, malaria, HIV, maternal & child health, water, sanitation, nutrition and non-communicable diseases amongst the vulnerable populations. PS Kenya has over 31 years experience in Kenya.

PS Kenya’s expertise is anchored on innovative, evidence-based strategies that are user centered; deep understanding of private sector providers through operation of Tunza franchise of private sector providers, comprising 415 members, who provide integrated services to about 3.5m Kenyans annually.

PS Kenya is contributing to the elimination of cervical cancer by increasing awareness and demand for cervical cancer services and supporting early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qb1W3WztHUbVUqSE_Osc85bVTUYH6S9B/view?usp=sharing

Globally, cervical cancer ranks 4th in incidence and cancer-related mortality amongst women with about 569,847 new cases and 311,365 deaths annually. It accounts for 13.1% of all new female cancers globally. In Kenya it contributes 5,250 (12.9%) of the new cancer cases annually and 3,286 (11.84%) of all cancer deaths annually.

The cervical cancer burden can be reduced through early detection and management of precancerous conditions. However, only 16% of women aged 30-49 years take up cervical cancer screening services in Kenya. In addition, 70-80% of cancer patients in Kenya are diagnosed at an advanced stage.  

The high prevalence of cervical cancer in developing countries is attributed to scarcity and inadequacy of screening programs, economic constraints and knowledge deficits. Additionally, where the service is available, women may not be aware about it and its importance and may therefore not bother to seek the service.

PS Kenya  uses its expertise in social & behavior change to increase awareness and improve early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. The organization uses simple and affordable technology (VIA/VILLI and cryotherapy machines) to screen women for cervical cancer and treat VIA/VILLI positive lesions before they progress to cancer. Advanced cases are referred for treatment. 

The private sector provides healthcare services to 47% of the Kenyan population, including over 5 million women of reproductive age. However, this sector faces challenges including inadequate health provider skills to offer high quality essential services. PS Kenya utilizes its unique private sector service delivery model to improve early detection of cervical cancer through capacity building of health workers, demand creation for screening, referral and treatment. It costs a woman only 1–2 dollars for screening and 30 dollars for treatment of cervical cancer.

PS Kenya already manages a health social franchise called Tunza with more than 400 providers trained in cervical cancer screening and treatment, 116 providers trained and certified on cervical cancer treatment with cryotherapy and over 200 community health workers trained to carry out effective interpersonal communication breaking barriers to early screening. We are also working with an additional 700 private sector facilities who are already providing family planning services in hard to reach geographies and they form an expansion base enabling us reach more vulnerable women. We have supported cervical cancer screening of over 200,000 women, treatment of 1,000 women with cryotherapy, referral of over 3,000 women for advanced treatment and we have 14 functional cryotherapy machines. 

PS Kenya supports the government to address pressing public health priorities in all the 47 counties in Kenya including far flung hard to reach areas. We break the traditional development models and tackle the toughest health problems by using proven business practices like marketing and franchising and are keen to measure our impact. 

Our focus is to serve ‘Sara’ (our target audience), who is at the center of our work and we co-create solutions with her. Because Sara’s health needs are diverse, PS Kenya strives to offer an integrated package of support to meet Sara and her family’s health needs. Sara predominantly seeks health solutions from private and public health providers who can address many different needs in one convenient location.

PS Kenya’s social health franchise of over 400 private providers under one brand name, ‘Tunza’ offers affordable, reliable and high-quality health services to 3.5 million Kenyans annually.

Through investing in the scale-up of cervical cancer prevention and treatment services there is a multiplier effect that helps advance achievement of other national strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. For every dollar invested in cervical cancer prevention and treatment, at least $3.20 will be returned to the economy through 2050.