KESHO

Strengthening Haemato-Oncology Care
2026-06-11 19:00 - 20:30 (Africa/Nairobi)
STRENGTHENING HAEMATO-ONCOLOGY CARE THROUGH PALLIATIVE CARE AND RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

Moderator: Prof. John Weru
Speaker: Prof. Sayed Karar
Date: 11 June 2026

This session examined palliative care as a critical component of quality and comprehensive haemato-oncology care. The discussion challenged the misconception that palliative care belongs only at the end of life and instead presented it as an added layer of support that can be introduced early, alongside active treatment.
A central theme was the distinction between palliative care and hospice. Prof. Sayed Karar emphasized that palliative care can support patients and families at any stage of serious illness, including during chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other disease directed treatment. Hospice care, by contrast, is generally associated with advanced disease when curative options are no longer appropriate. The discussion framed palliative care as a holistic service that addresses pain, symptoms, psychological distress, spiritual concerns, social needs and family burden.
The session also situated palliative care within the African and Kenyan context. Prof. Karar highlighted the large unmet need for palliative care across the continent, the uneven availability of services, limited access to opioids and the continued underuse of affordable medicines such as morphine. Local studies were used to show how research can change practice, including ICU trigger models that help identify patients who should receive timely palliative care review.
Through case scenarios, the discussion explored difficult conversations, symptom control, prognostication, end of life feeding, dialysis decisions, family conflict and the role of faith and hope in care decisions. Practical tools such as the SPIKES framework were discussed as a way to support clear, compassionate communication. The session also reinforced the importance of identifying the appropriate decision maker, using plain language and allowing families time to process serious news.
Across the session, a consistent message emerged: palliative care is not about withdrawing care. It is about strengthening care, relieving suffering, supporting decision making and helping patients and families navigate serious illness with dignity.
Key Takeaways

Palliative care should be introduced early and can run alongside active haemato-oncology treatment.
Hospice and palliative care are related but not the same; palliative care is appropriate at any stage of serious illness.
Pain control requires careful assessment, stepwise treatment, safe opioid use and attention to side effects such as constipation.
Difficult conversations need preparation, privacy, clear language, empathy and structured follow up.
Local palliative care research can influence practice, including the use of triggers to identify patients who need timely review.
Every clinician should have basic palliative care skills, especially in settings where specialist services are limited.

Nutrition into Oncology
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:30
Integrating Nutrition into Oncology Practice
Fueling Better Outcomes
📅 Date: 18th June 2026
🕖 Time: 7 PM – 8:30 PM EAT
🏅 CPD Accredited
MODERATOR
Kennedy Okinda
Oncology Nutrition Specialist, Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital
SPEAKER
Njoki Karanja
Oncology Nutrition Specialist
Nutrition in Cancer Care: From Treatment to Recovery
SPEAKER
Dr. Andrew Odhiambo
Medical Oncologist, The Nairobi Hospital; Thematic Head & Program Director, Medical Oncology, UON
The Clinical Impact of Nutrition on Cancer Outcomes

Sickle Cell Disease
2026-06-25 19:30 - 20:30
SICKLE CELL DISEASE: FROM NEWBORN DETECTION TO LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

Moderator: Dr. Fatmah Abdallah
Speakers: Dr. Bernard Awuonda and Dr. Sophie Uyoga

This session examined sickle cell disease through the full patient pathway, from newborn detection and early diagnosis to long-term care, survival and health-system readiness.
Dr. Bernard Awuonda opened the session by situating sickle cell disease as an inherited haemoglobin disorder and emphasising the importance of public education in reducing stigma. The discussion highlighted that sickle cell disease is not contagious and that clear communication with families and communities is essential for improving understanding, genetic counselling and health-seeking behaviour.
A major focus of the session was the burden of sickle cell disease in sub-Saharan Africa and Kenya. Dr. Awuonda noted that without timely intervention, many children born with sickle cell disease in high-burden settings die before the age of five. This framed the case for newborn screening as a life-saving public health intervention, rather than a specialist service alone.
The discussion explored screening modalities, including point-of-care testing and laboratory-based approaches, and highlighted the importance of linking screening to action. Early detection only improves outcomes when it is followed by caregiver education, prophylactic care, vaccination, access to hydroxyurea where appropriate, routine monitoring and clear referral pathways.
Dr. Sophie Uyoga shared experience from Kilifi, where structured sickle cell care has combined clinical service delivery, research, patient follow-up and community engagement. The session highlighted how early testing, routine monitoring, access to hydroxyurea and caregiver education can improve survival and health-seeking behaviour.
The discussion also addressed the realities of long-term care, including transition from paediatric to adult services, psychosocial support, affordability, access to diagnostics, transfusion planning and the importance of maintaining patients in care. The speakers emphasised that sickle cell disease should not be viewed as a death sentence. With early diagnosis, structured follow-up and supportive systems, patients can live fuller and longer lives.
The session reinforced the need to operationalise infant screening policy, strengthen financing, improve point-of-care capacity, support data systems and build care pathways that connect newborn screening to lifelong care.
Key Takeaways

Newborn screening is critical for early identification and timely intervention in sickle cell disease.
Screening must be linked to care, including caregiver education, prophylaxis, vaccination, routine monitoring and referral pathways.
Sickle cell disease is inherited and not contagious; community education remains important for reducing stigma.
Hydroxyurea, routine monitoring and structured clinical follow-up can reduce complications and improve outcomes.
Transition from paediatric to adult care requires stronger planning, psychosocial support and retention strategies.
Policy, financing, data systems and point-of-care testing are essential for scaling sickle cell care across Kenya.

Management of Endometrial Cancer
2026-07-09 19:00 - 20:30
A Multidisciplinary Approach in the Management of Endometrial Cancer
📅 9th July 2026
⏰ 7PM – 8:30PM EAT
Join our expert panel:
👨‍⚕️ Dr. Alfred Mokomba — Surgical Management and Risk Stratification
👩‍⚕️ Dr. Catherine Nyongesa — Adjuvant Radiotherapy and Multidisciplinary Decision-Making
🎙️ Moderated by Dr. Edward Sang
Don’t miss this insightful session bringing together leading oncologists to discuss best practices in endometrial cancer care.

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Advancing Cardio-Oncology in East Africa
2026-07-16 19:00 - 20:30
Advancing Cardio-Oncology in East Africa
From Evidence to Everyday Practice
CPD Accredited

Date: Thursday, 16th July 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EAT

Speakers

Dr. Anne Mwirigi

Consultant Haematologist & Assistant ProfessorAga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Dr. Kieran Mwazo

Consultant CardiologistHead of the Cardiology Division,Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mombasa

Dr. Joseph Abuodha

Consultant Medical OncologistDepartment of Haematology and Oncology,Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Moderator

Prof. Arjun Ghosh

Consultant CardiologistBarts Heart Centre,St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London & University College London Hospital
Organizers

KESHO – Kenya Society of Haematology & Oncology
KCS – Kenya Cardiac Society

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Management of Treatment-Induced Neurotoxicity
2026-07-23 19:30 - 20:30
Management of Treatment-Induced Neurotoxicity session
23rd July 2026, 7–8:30 PM EAT,
Featuring Dr. Herman Ekea, Dr. Karishma Sharma, and Dr. Juzar Hooker

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Implementing Precision Oncology in LMICs
2026-07-30 19:30 - 20:30
Implementing Precision Oncology in LMICs:
From Diagnosis to Clinical Decision-Making
Date: 30th July 2026
Time: 7 PM – 8:30 PM EAT
Speaker
Prof. Shahin Sayed
Associate Professor & Consultant, Anatomical Pathology and Cytology, Department of Pathology, Medical College, Aga Khan University; Chair & Laboratory Director. Pathology, AKUH, N
The Diagnostic Foundations of Precision Oncology: Pathology, Biomarkers and Molecular Testing
Speaker
Prof. Chite Asirwa
Medical Oncologist & Hematologist; CEO, International Cancer Institute
Precision Oncology in LMICs: Current Landscape, Clinical Application and the Road Ahead
Moderator
Prof. Nicholas Abinya
Consultant Medical Oncologist, Nairobi Hospital Cancer Centre

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From Digital Diagnosis to Connected Cancer Care
2026-08-13 19:30 - 20:30
“From Digital Diagnosis to Connected Cancer Care”
CPD ACCREDITED
Date: 13th August 2026
Time: 7 PM – 8:30 PM EAT
Speaker: Dr. Arvind Rao
Professor, Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan
Talk: “From Digital Diagnosis to AI-Powered Cancer Care: Governance, LLMs, and the Connected Future”
Speaker: Dr. Joshua Kibera
Anatomical Pathologist, CEO/Founder – The Pathology Network
Talk: “Beyond the Algorithm: Building the Digital Diagnostic Infrastructure for AI-Enabled Precision Cancer Care”
Moderator: Dr. Anne Korir
Senior Research Scientist, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)

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The 9th Kenya International Cancer Conference
2026-11-19 08:00 - 2026-11-21 17:00
