Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has unveiled a dedicated Breast Cancer Support Group to offer holistic care. The initiative is designed to offer emotional, psychological, and social support to patients, survivors, and caregivers navigating the complexities of breast cancer.
The support group, which will convene monthly, will provide peer connection, educational workshops, and coping strategies for those impacted by the disease. Hospital officials say the initiative is part of AKUH’s commitment to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered cancer care.
“We are combating the big C — Cancer — with three Cs: Care, Compassion, and Community,”
said Prof. Mansoor Saleh, Chair of the Department of Haematology and Oncology at AKUH.
“This support group is about instilling hope in women facing breast cancer. What we learn here will also help shape future support groups for other types of cancer.”
The launch comes at a time when non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, are an escalating public health challenge in Kenya. Rashid Khalani, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“Four out of ten deaths in Kenya are now attributed to NCDs,” Khalani said during the launch event. “We need to act fast — through better technologies, more research, and skilled professionals. But just as important are support systems like this one, which provide critical emotional and social care.”
Zahra Haji, a clinical psychologist leading the hospital’s psycho-oncology program, highlighted the holistic nature of the initiative.
“This group goes beyond treating physical symptoms,”
she explained
. “We’re addressing the emotional, spiritual, mental, financial, and social aspects of the cancer journey. It’s about sustainability and responsiveness to evolving patient needs.”
The support group is expected to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between clinical treatment and emotional wellbeing — an often overlooked, yet essential, part of cancer care.
