By Lenah Bosibori
On a sunny October morning in Nairobi, Chimwemwe Chiduleni exited a bus holding a plastic bag containing papers, an extra set of clothes, and a quiet resolve to endure.
Two years following her diagnosis with cervical cancer in Malawi, a country that lacked radiotherapy facilities then, she had eventually reached Kenya, a nation quickly becoming the medical hub of East Africa.
She was among many women who traveled across borders for care that was once thought unattainable. For Chimwemwe and others in her situation, entering Kenya was more than a geographical move; it symbolized a journey from hopelessness to the chance of recovery.
While Africa continues to face persistent health disparities, Kenya’s emerging medical tourism program is changing the way Africans access healthcare and who can benefit from it. In May 2024, Dr. Alfred Mutua, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, formally introduced a detailed strategy aimed at establishing Kenya as a top medical tourism destination in Africa.
“Kenya is not only welcoming to tourists. We are also prepared to deliver high-quality healthcare to our African neighbors, providing excellent hospitals, specialists, and a visa system that facilitates easy access for medical care,” he stated.
This progress involved recognizing that the freedom to travel within the continent for healthcare purposes, without needing visas, is crucial in combating diseases such as cervical cancer, which demand specialized care not available in certain African countries.
The 2024 Annual Tourism Sector Performance Report indicated that Kenya welcomed 10,602 travelers coming for medical purposes. Medical tourism was listed among the top ten motivations for visiting the nation, underlining Kenya’s growing position as a center for health services.
Among the medical tourism patients was Chimwemwe Chiduleni, a middle-aged woman with two children from Malawi, who received a cervical cancer diagnosis in 2022. She felt her life had come to an end, similar to many others in Malawi.
The nation ranks second in the world for cervical cancer death rates, with 51.5 fatalities per 100,000 women annually, trailing only Eswatini, as reported by Cervical Cancer Statistics and the Cervical Cancer Strategic Plan.
In 2022, Malawi lacked radiotherapy services, resulting in women with advanced-stage cervical cancer having few treatment choices. Known as radiation therapy, this essential treatment, typically the primary option for such conditions, was not available in the country until February 2025.
Prior to that, numerous patients in Malawi were sent overseas to Kenya, Tanzania, or India in pursuit of critical medical care. Chimwemwe needed to go to Kenya to obtain this necessary treatment.
When I received the diagnosis, I was frightened,” Chimwemwe mentioned. “However, when I learned that I could travel to Kenya for treatment, I experienced a feeling of comfort. It’s not only about the medical care but also about the opportunity to live and go back to my family.
Cervical cancer can be largely prevented but continues to pose a significant risk to women around the world. The majority of cases are linked to a virus known as HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which spreads through sexual activity.
In Malawi, more than 4,000 women receive a cervical cancer diagnosis annually, making up 24% of all cancer cases in the nation. Restricted availability of treatment has led to a concerning death rate, with 2,905 women passing away from the illness in 2020, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Global Cancer Observatory.
In 2022, cervical cancer ranked among the top five common cancers in Malawi, with 4,701 reported cases, accounting for 37.8% in women. From 2022 onward, approximately 50 women from Malawi have been sent to Kenya for radiotherapy treatment.
For Chimwemwe, this referral created an additional financial strain on top of the already difficult diagnosis, particularly as a single mother of two without a formal job. The illness had already affected her everyday life, turning even basic tasks into difficult challenges.
Fortunately, she was one of the two women supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also called Doctors Without Borders, who went to Kenya for medical care in 2024. Chiduleni says she felt excited but anxious about leaving her young children behind.
I was somewhat concerned because I am the eldest daughter, making me responsible for supporting the rest of the family,” she says. “However, with the encouragement we provided each other, I managed to overcome my fears and was committed to going for treatment.
The most cherished moment of the journey was at the start, when all the women were powerful and joyful, singing and dancing as one. However, as the treatment continued and some grew very ill, it became difficult to keep that sense of happiness.
My first night after arriving in Kenya was excellent. Indeed, this is the first country outside of Malawi that I have ever visited. The program was explained to us in Malawi, stating that we would receive radiotherapy and that they would use a special light to burn the cancer.
They also talked about a tube that would be placed inside my body. I wasn’t taken aback by the procedure. I have observed a significant change since I’ve come this far. The journey has taught me several valuable lessons.
I discovered how to coexist with various individuals and manage diverse personality types in Kenya. I will miss the affection from the Kenyan people I connected with, their kindness, and the variety of delicious food.
While staying at the hospital for six weeks, she managed to learn some fundamental Kiswahili and a little English.
Chimwemwe first realized something was amiss two years prior to her visit to the physician. She continued to overlook the signs, assuming it was merely a slight infection.
My health deteriorated due to postponing the examination. I am now dedicated to promoting awareness about cervical cancer within my community and urging women to undergo early screenings. This illness can be cured.
I was extremely stressed when I received the cancer diagnosis,” she said. “I rely on small-scale farming for my income. This illness has halted my activities.
When I learned that I had been selected to go to Kenya for radiotherapy, I shared the news with my family. They welcomed the positive news as enthusiastically as I did. Numerous women have passed away earlier than expected due to not having this opportunity.
Now that I’ve returned, I’ll take on most of my responsibilities. All my children depend on me for their school expenses and meals. I envision a promising future once things are sorted; I’ll get back to irrigation farming as I did before.
Since 2018, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Malawi’s Ministry of Health have been implementing a cervical cancer initiative aimed at delivering impactful, effective treatment via a full-range program encompassing screening, medical advice, advanced surgical procedures, and supportive care for those with late-stage disease.
As stated by Dr. Catherine Karekezi, Executive Director of the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance Kenya, Kenya’s hospitals are more adequately prepared to provide care for cervical and other forms of cancer than many nations in the area.
We currently operate approximately six radiotherapy units throughout the nation. This provides us with a considerable benefit in handling cancer treatment.
Nevertheless, Dr. Karekezi recognizes the emotional and financial difficulties experienced by patients who must travel abroad for medical care. “It’s a significant challenge. Cancer is a long-term, potentially fatal illness, and managing it is already mentally and emotionally demanding.”
The stories of Chimwemwe and Nessie illustrate the wider effects of migration on women. Availability of care can be transformative, providing women with the chance to reclaim authority over their lives, families, and tomorrow.
In a region where women frequently encounter extra challenges in accessing healthcare, initiatives such as those provided by MSF in Malawi contribute to both physical recovery and the restoration of self-respect for the typical African woman.
With an increasing number of African nations welcoming medical tourism, women are now presented with a viable opportunity to battle illnesses that would otherwise remain untreatable in their native countries, at a reasonable price.
Setting up cancer treatment centers is costly, but it’s essential. Cervical cancer is among the few types of cancer that can be cured when identified at an early stage,” says Karekezi. “This is why we need to increase investment in education, promote routine screenings, and inform women about the indicators and symptoms so they don’t overlook warning signals and can get prompt care.
Sylvie Goossens, former MSF project coordinator for cervical cancer in Malawi, highlights that the program serves as a critical support for numerous individuals: “Without this system, many women would lack access to the necessary treatment.”
Dr. George Chilinda, a surgical oncologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital with MSF, also emphasizes the need to broaden cervical cancer treatment throughout the region.
The HPV vaccine and screening are essential, but without treatment, many patients will succumb to this preventable illness,” says Dr. Chilinda. “This project highlights the strength of cooperation across African nations and underscores the importance of expanding healthcare initiatives so that no woman has to leave her country to stay alive.
As Chimwemwe eventually stepped onto the bus heading back to Malawi, her physical strength had diminished, yet her inner resolve had grown stronger. In her bag were the discharge documents, some remaining medication, and a small notebook filled with Kiswahili phrases and the names of nurses who had supported her during the toughest times. What she brought back, more than anything else, was the understanding that survival is achievable when borders are open and systems function properly.
As cancer treatment increasingly transforms into a global act of support, it’s not only medical professionals or technology that are saving lives, but also the hidden structures of availability, regulations, and determination. For numerous women throughout Africa, the journey toward recovery might still be lengthy, yet it no longer needs to be unattainable.
In February 2025, individuals who have overcome cancer in Malawi found respite from the burden of travel as the Malawi National Cancer Centre (MNCC), located at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, started providing radiotherapy treatments.
Embark on the complete adventure. View the documentary below to witness how cross-border cancer treatment is transforming possibilities for women throughout Africa.
This material is created as part of the Move Africa initiative, funded by the African Union Commission and backed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The opinions and perspectives shared are solely those of the writers and may not represent the views of GIZ or the African Union.
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