City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya

The City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) is a global initiative that partners with cities to build sustainable and equitable cancer care systems. Nairobi became a member city in 2022, joining a network of urban centers committed to improving access to high-quality cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care. C/Can Nairobi collaborates with local health authorities, hospitals, civil society, and private sector partners to identify gaps in cancer services and develop innovative, context-specific solutions. The initiative supports capacity building for health workers, streamlining patient referral pathways, and integrating data systems for better cancer care coordination. By focusing on the urban health system, C/Can Nairobi aims to address disparities in cancer care access within the city, targeting vulnerable populations and ensuring sustainability through policy advocacy and resource mobilization. This network model exemplifies how cities in East Africa can lead cancer control innovations that can be scaled nationally.