Bamburi Cement and Chandaria Foundation representatives during the signing of the MoU./HANDOUT
In a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure and health outcomes in the Coast region, Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) is set to benefit from a new cancer chemotherapy and in-patient facility.
Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital is a public health facility located in Mombasa, providing 24/7 medical, nursing, and related services with organized inpatient facilities.
This follows the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bamburi Cement and the Chandaria Foundation, establishing a collaborative framework under which the partners will support the planning, construction, and commissioning of the specialised unit at the hospital.
Designed to address the rising burden of cancer in Kenya by expanding access to high-quality oncology services, the initiative marks a convergence of established healthcare partners. It underscores the enduring commitment of Bamburi Cement, a long-standing partner of Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, building on the successful delivery of the region’s first cancer day centre at the facility in 2017.
The Chandaria Foundation joins the effort with decades of experience in strengthening Kenya’s medical infrastructure, demonstrated through its work at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, and the Chandaria Cancer and Chronic Diseases Centre at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Driven by a Sh70 million co-funding model, the expanded partnership brings together public sector medical expertise, private sector resources, and seasoned philanthropic support.
Together, the partners will establish a specialised chemotherapy and in-patient unit aimed at improving timely diagnosis and supportive care to enhance patient survival rates.
The project is fast-tracked for delivery within the MoU’s operational period, running from 1 December 2025 to 31 December 2026.
According to the 2024 Kenya Vital Statistics Report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, cancer currently ranks as the second leading cause of death in the country.
The partners note that supportive care is a critical component of effective cancer treatment. The investment is intended to address the double burden of disease on the healthcare system while reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to access specialised care.
Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Iqbal Khandwalla said the partnership reflects the impact of collaboration across sectors.
“This partnership is a testament to what can be achieved when the public and private sectors unite for a common cause. This new facility will significantly decongest our current systems and offer dignity and hope to families battling cancer in the Coastal region,” he said.
Bamburi Cement Chief Executive Officer Mohit Kapoor said the initiative resonates deeply with the company’s roots in the region.
“As a company deeply rooted in Mombasa, our connection to this region goes beyond business—it is personal. This partnership allows us to give back to our home by building on the success of the 2017 Day Centre. By providing the materials for this new in-patient facility, we are literally laying the foundation for a healthier future for our neighbors and the wider Coast community,” he said.
Chandaria Foundation trustee Bijal Chandaria said the project aligns with the foundation’s long-standing mission.
“Our mission has always been to assist the less fortunate in health and education. By committing funds to this project, we are investing in the future of Kenya’s healthcare and ensuring that critical oncology services are accessible to those who need them most,” she said.
