At the opening of Africa Press Day 2026 in Nairobi on Wednesday, March 4, Dorothy Nyong'o, First Lady of Kisumu County and Director of the Africa Cancer Foundation, made a passionate appeal to African leaders. Her message was clear: the fight against cancer in women must no longer be an option, but a national investment priority .

The challenge of early detection

The contrast between Africa and developed countries remains alarming. Ms. Nyong'o highlighted a striking disparity in survival:

1. Developed countries: Over 90% survival rate after diagnosis.
2. Africa: Approximately 50%, or even less.

This devastating toll is mainly due to delayed diagnosis. "The secret lies in the three-pronged approach: prevention, early detection and treatment ," she emphasized, reminding everyone that health is the driving force behind a country's productivity and sovereignty.

The "Empower" initiative: A model to follow

To illustrate concrete solutions, the director of the Africa Cancer Foundation highlighted the Empower clinics. Launched in 2018 in partnership with the Roche laboratory, these facilities facilitate:

1. Access to breast cancer screening.
2. Funding for health insurance for impoverished patients.
3. Complete adherence to care protocols.

“We have already assisted 3,000 women. Unfortunately, 19 of them have died because they came too late.” — Dorothy Nyong'o

A forum to rethink healthcare financing

The 2026 edition of Africa Press Day, organized by Roche over two days, brings together a diverse panel of policymakers, scientists, economists, and journalists. Discussions will focus on strategic themes:

1. Health as an investment: Moving from a view of "expense" to that of "economic wealth".
2. Equity and access: Identify and remove barriers that exclude certain populations from care.
3. Health sovereignty: Strengthening local systems to better withstand future global shocks.