Structural and ICT System Readiness for Lung Cancer Caseload Management in Kenya: An Analytical Study of Facility Distribution, Reporting Patterns, and Data Protection Compliance

Abstract

Background - Lung cancer is a leading contributor to cancer mortality in Kenya, with a mortality-to-incidence ratio of 0.91, underscoring late diagnosis and treatment delays (International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2022). Objective - The study evaluated Kenya’s preparedness for lung cancer caseload management by examining facility distribution, oncology workforce capacity, and information and communications technology (ICT) systems, with specific attention to compliance with the Data Protection Act (2019). Methods - A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed using secondary data from GLOBOCAN, the Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Cancer Registry, the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS/DHIS2), and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Facility mapping included ownership, location, and service level; workforce indicators covered oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapists. ICT readiness was benchmarked against the Kenya Health Information Systems Interoperability Framework, the National ICT Master Plan (2022–2032), and statutory data protection standards. Results - In 2022, Kenya registered 903 new lung cancer cases and 822 related deaths. Twelve radiotherapy facilities—half public and half private—were operational, with nearly three-quarters concentrated in Nairobi, Eldoret, and Mombasa. Nationally, the oncology workforce remains limited, with fewer than one radiation oncologist per million people. ICT assessments revealed gaps in interoperability, limited adoption of encryption, and inadequate designation of Data Protection Officers in many facilities. Conclusion - Kenya faces a dual constraint of centralised oncology infrastructure and fragmented ICT capacity. Equitable caseload management will require deliberate expansion of regional oncology services, secure integration of population-based cancer registries with KHIS/DHIS2, and strict enforcement of data protection measures. Implementing these reforms would advance timely diagnosis, improve equity of access, and align cancer control efforts with Universal Health Coverage and Vision 2030 targets.