BTAK: The establishment of the Brain Tumour Association of Kenya Trizah Tracey John (MBCHB, MMed-Neurosurgery), Deputy Secretary General Brain Tumour Association of Kenya (BTAK)
Introduction The Brain Tumour Association of Kenya (BTAK) is a non-profit organization registered in Kenya in accordance with the Kenya Societies Act . BTAK was established in 2021 by neuro-oncology healthcare professionals comprising a neuro-oncologist, a neuropathologist and neurosurgeons . The main purpose of establishing BTAK is to support brain tumour patients and caregivers through advocacy, promotion of quality healthcare, dissemination of information and creation of awareness of brain tumours .
Background The cancer burden has been rising globally, exerting significant pressure on populations and health systems . The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals call for a reduction by one-third of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer . In Kenya, cancer is the third leading cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases . Brain tumours are the commonest cause of tumour-related deaths in children . Cancer prevention and control requires a health-systems approach that includes the entire continuum of care: prevention, early detection, treatment, 52
Brain Tumour
Brain Tumour Association of Kenya (BTAK) officials (left to right, back row: Dr . P Minda Okemwa, Dr . Michael A .A . Magoha, Dr . Vincent D . Wekesa; seated: Dr . Trizah Tracey John; not pictured: Dr . Nilesh Mohan
palliative care, survivorship, monitoring, evaluation and research . The Kenyan Constitution (2010, Article 43) grants every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care for brain tumour patients .
Landscape of care for brain tumour patients in Kenya Kenya has made significant strides
in upscaling the quality of healthcare delivered to brain tumour patients . The National Cancer Control Strategy is currently in place and under implementation . Infrastructure development and expansion as well as equipment acquisition is ongoing . Some training programs for neurooncology professionals are in place aimed at increasing the number of health care workers .