For many Kenyan families, seeking specialized medical care abroad has become a painful journey filled with uncertainty and despair.

In Kisimani, Mombasa County, a family is living on hope alone as they struggle to raise six million shillings to save the life of their fourteen-year-old daughter, currently undergoing treatment for bone cancer in India.

What began as a minor accident and knee pain soon turned into a devastating diagnosis. After visiting a local clinic and later Coast General Hospital, doctors discovered a tumor, forcing the family into a long and costly medical battle.

Mary Wahu was later transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, where she underwent surgery costing about one-point-five million shillings—partly funded by the Social Health Authority.

But her condition failed to improve, and doctors advised the family to seek specialized treatment abroad.
Believing SHA would support the process, her father took her to India, only to be told that the hospital could not accept SHA coverage due to outstanding debts left behind by the former NHIF.

With no other option, the family agreed to proceed with treatment, turning to well-wishers as medical bills climbed to six million shillings.

For Mary’s family, the fight is no longer just against cancer, but also against time, debt, and a healthcare system that failed them when they needed it most.