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Africa urged to put more weight on health financing amid donor cuts

Health stakeholders warn that over-reliance on external support has left Africa struggling to respond effectively to pandemics and maintain essential health services.

By Mercy Kahenda 3 days ago

MPs pledge to push for improved care of patients with bleeding disorder

Parliament has pledged to push for urgent reforms to improve the management of haemophilia in Kenya, following a petition highlighting severe gaps in access to care and treatment. 

By Mercy Kahenda 4 days ago

Kenya closing immunisation gaps as global drive reaches millions of children

Kenya is among 12 countries that have benefited from a global push to reach unvaccinated children under five, as the world marks World Immunisation Week. 

By Mercy Kahenda 4 days ago

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How Malaria is stealing pregnancies in Siaya

Families in Siaya are losing pregnancies and lives to malaria, exposing gaps in prevention, funding cuts, and delayed antenatal care despite the disease being preventable and treatable.

By Mercy Kahenda 6 days ago

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Experts warn of growing malaria drug resistance

Health experts warn that rising malaria drug resistance, worsened by climate change, is threatening treatment effectiveness and expanding the disease’s reach in Kenya.

By Mercy Kahenda 7 days ago

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'We didn't understand SHA deal': Why teachers are crying foul over Mwalimu cover

The government insists teachers were consulted on the SHA medical cover, but unions dispute this and threaten disruption over gaps in benefits and service delivery.

By Mercy Kahenda 9 days ago

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Teachers threaten strike over SHA package, demands unclear

Teachers’ unions, including Kuppet, are threatening a strike over dissatisfaction with SHA benefits, despite unclear demands and prior negotiations with the Teachers Service Commission.

By Mercy Kahenda 10 days ago

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Born different: The silent crisis of birth defects, stigma and toll

Some defects are visible at birth, others remain hidden until complications emerge later. Medical experts link many defects to preventable maternal health factors

By Mercy Kahenda 20 days ago

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No special SHA covers for civil servants, ministry clarifies

The Ministry of Health maintains that there are no special schemes for civil servants under the Social Health Authority.

By Mercy Kahenda 23 days ago

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Long-acting HIV prevention jab records no major health concerns

Kenya’s rollout of the HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir has recorded no major side effects, with experts reporting only mild, temporary pain at injection sites.

By Mercy Kahenda 24 days ago

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Five counties in SHA fraud web as 12 hospitals shut amid probe

Five Kenyan counties have been implicated in a major Social Health Authority fraud scheme, prompting the shutdown of 12 hospitals as authorities intensify investigations.

By Mercy Kahenda 24 days ago

Experts raise alarm over rising NCD cases linked to poor diet

Health experts warn that rising non-communicable diseases in Kenya are linked to poor diets, prompting the formation of Food Policy Coalition Kenya to push for stronger food environment policies.

By Mercy Kahenda 24 days ago

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Early signs of autism every parent should watch closely

Autistic children children presents with speech delay that can come in different forms, for example failure to attain language.

By Mercy Kahenda 27 days ago

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MPs call for urgent action to stop rising cancer deaths

MPs urge urgent action from the Ministry of Health to tackle rising cancer deaths through early diagnosis and intervention.

By Mercy Kahenda 29 days ago

Ugandan among global Rotary honourees for transforming rural education

A Ugandan is among six Rotary members honoured globally, for improving access to quality education in rural Uganda.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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State: Covid-19 variant in US 'not alarming'

The government says the COVID-19 sub-variant BA.3.2 (“Cicada”) detected in the US is under monitoring but not currently a cause for alarm.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Why Tobaco firms have shifted to social media to lure youths

Tobacco firms are being criticised for targeting Kenyan youth through aggressive social media marketing of nicotine products.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Silent cries: The overlooked pain and grim reality of stillbirths

Women’s grief often remains invisible despite losing their newborn babies. Kenya is working to strengthen maternal care and implement support systems.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

National Treasury asked to raise taxes on tobacco, sugary drinks and alcohol

If adopted, the proposals on alcoholic beverages would harmonise excise tax rates across all alcohol products.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Kenya adopts new initiative to curb maternal and neonatal deaths

The deaths, according to Amoth, are preventable and show “a gap in implementation”.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Makueni hailed for maternal health innovation

Makueni County has been recognised internationally for achieving zero maternal deaths from postpartum haemorrhage, thanks to innovative practices.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Healthcare failures fuel maternal, infant deaths, warns experts

Healthcare inefficiencies across Africa are driving preventable maternal and infant deaths, with Jean Kaseya urging urgent solutions to strengthen health systems.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Kenya races against time to save mothers and newborns in marginalised counties

The national government is working closely with respective organisations to help reduce high maternal and newborn deaths in marginalised counties.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Sh300m budget cut threatens to roll back gains in fight against TB

A Sh300 million budget cut has raised fears in Kenya that progress made in tackling tuberculosis could be reversed amid growing funding gaps.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Epilepsy silently affects two million Kenyans as stigma blocks treatment

Millions live with epilepsy in Kenya as stigma blocks treatment.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Sh6.8b programme to help reduce maternal, infant deaths

Kenya is set to receive part of a Sh6.8 billion Unitaid investment to reduce maternal and newborn deaths, announced during the International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference in Nairobi.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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When birth ends in silence: Race to save mothers, newborns

Kenya loses 92 infants and 15 women to childbirth-related causes daily, underscoring a public health emergency as experts warn decades of progress could stall if urgent measures are not taken.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Experts warn of rising TB infections among adolescents in Kenya

Experts have raised concern over increased infections of Tuberculosis among adolescents and young adults in Kenya.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Exit USAID enter G2G: What new funding model means for health sector

The G2G framework focuses on six key pillars: surveillance and outbreak response, laboratory systems, commodities and supply chains, data systems, health workforce, and strategic interventions.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Kenya, US deal will strengthen healthcare systems, says Duale

Under the Government-to-Government funding model, resources from the US Government will flow directly to the Government of Kenya, rather than through external implementing partners.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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How SHA jobs have become a two tribes affair

Despite heated debate over alleged irregularities in the hiring process at the Social Health Authority, two communities continue to dominate jobs at the agency.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Overuse of painkillers driving cases of chronic kidney disease

Overuse of painkillers is contributing to rising cases of chronic kidney disease in Kenya, highlighting the need for medical supervision and baseline testing.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Tobacco industry accused of dodging tax, fuelling addiction

MPs and health advocates have accused the tobacco industry of tax evasion and using youth-targeted tactics amid weak regulation, fuelling addiction and rise in non-communicable diseases.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Patients call on parliament to act as bleeding disorder support fades

Patients with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders are urging Kenya’s parliament to act as donor support dwindles, warning of a looming treatment crisis.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Why treatment for patients seeking care overseas is on hold

The ongoing Iran, Israel-US war has left patients bound for treatment in Turkey, India, Pakistan and Cyprus stranded as Middle Eastern airspace closures halt flights.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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How too much screentime affects brain health

Experts warn that excessive smartphone and social media use is becoming a growing threat to brain health and mental well-being.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Experts call for a lasting solution to endless cycle of hunger up north

Data shows 3.3 million Kenyans in northern counties are facing acute food insecurity.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

MPs probe KNH over idle Sh453m oxygen facility

Kenyatta National Hospital is under pressure to explain why it spends Sh600 million annually on oxygen while its Sh453 million oxygen plant remains idle.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Omollo warns against political hooliganism, calls for restraint

The government has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on political violence while reaffirming its commitment to promoting education and development initiatives.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

SHA registration scandal: Critics chide CS Duale over cosmetic arrests

The critics argue that arrests and pronouncements made by ODPP are cosmetic and meant to create the impression of action, rather than address systemic loopholes.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago