AMPATH (Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare) in Eldoret has received a funding of $1 million from Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY). The funding, provided by the Lilly Foundation, will help equip a new oncology center, hire additional staff and train local healthcare professionals

The funding, which will be paid out over four years, from 2015-2018, will also support the creation of a research and training institute focused on cancer prevention, screening, treatment and supportive care. The institute will help build much-needed capacity among local healthcare providers.

AMPATH, as described on its website,  is built on a partnership with Moi University, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and is a consortium of North American academic health centres led by Indiana University working in partnership with the Government of Kenya.

The facility established an Oncology Institute in 2009, becoming the second cancer centre in Kenya.

Kenya lacks the facilities needed to attend to cancer patients and especially in the public health sector, which is frequented by majority of citizens who cannot afford private hospitals  and this funding will definitely go along way providing  access to the much needed services to more people.