Health

As of November 2025, the CS noted that 27.2 million Kenyans had successfully registered under SHA, representing more than half of the country’s population. Since the rollout of the scheme in October 2024, contributions amounting to Sh8.13 billion have been collected.

Recent studies show a small but measurable increase in breast cancer risk for women using hormonal contraceptives, highlighting the importance of informed choices.

The Sh120 million programme at KNH will fund life-changing ear implants for children with severe hearing loss, making advanced treatment accessible under UHC.

Many mothers in Kenya face isolation, stigma, and emotional trauma after giving birth to children with deformities, highlighting gaps in maternal mental health support.

In Kenya, cardiovascular disease is an increasingly significant cause of illness and death. Recent data show that about 25 per cent of hospital admissions are related to heart and blood vessel diseases.

Between countries, global inequalities exacerbate shared risks. Low-income countries have faced repeated obstacles in accessing vaccines, medicines and emergency financing, leaving outbreaks uncontrolled and prolonging global disruption.

The summit, organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and hosted by NCI-K, will be only the second edition held in Africa, following the 2023 gathering in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Ministry also highlighted the importance of maintaining and sustaining the equipment to guarantee long-term functionality.

According to the WHO, health aid is expected to fall by 30 to 40 per cent in 2025 compared with 2023, threatening essential health services in many low- and middle-income countries.

High levels of added sugars, such as refined cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, and inflammation.

As of August 17, 2025, the WHO reported 4,738 deaths from cholera and acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) across 31 countries. Earlier in the year, global deaths rose from 1,514 by March to 3,522 by June.

So if you’re wondering whether being creative is “good for you”, the answer seems to be “yes”. Scientifically, measurably, and beautifully so. Your next dance step, brush stroke, or musical note might just help your brain stay a little younger.

In a statement on November 1, the Ministry of Health revealed that the operation was carried out on a mother of eight who had been suffering from a severe lung infection.

As the Linda Mama programme fades and hospital fees surge, thousands of expectant mothers in Kenya’s poorest communities are being priced out of safe deliveries.

Practitioners and health facilities renewing their licences through the KMPDC online portal are advised to ensure they have a valid professional indemnity cover (for practitioners) or institutional liability cover (for health facilities).

Her appeal comes at a time when Kenya's breastfeeding rates have plateaued at around 60 per cent, remaining largely unchanged for over a decade, underscoring the need for renewed efforts to promote and support this foundational practice.

Mesothelioma, though rare, remains a serious cancer almost exclusively linked to asbestos. In 2022, there were an estimated 30,870 new cases globally.

Globally, ADHD affects about 5-7 percent of children and teenagers and around 2.5 percent of adults. It is often associated with negative life outcomes, including increased risk of involvement in crime.

In a post shared by the association, RUPHA said the Ministry of Health, headed by Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, owes the largest share at Sh7.8 billion, followed by the Ministry of Public Service, which owes Sh3.47 billion under the civil servants’ medical cover, and the Ministry of Interior, which owes Sh1.64 billion

The study showed that over 16 per cent of children exposed to COVID-19 in the womb were diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder, compared with less than 10 per cent among those whose mothers were not infected.

In Kenya, technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is gaining recognition as a serious issue.

According to health officials, the vaccination drive will be accompanied by hygiene and sanitation sensitisation campaigns to ensure maximum protection against cholera.

The survey, which examined 3,605 facilities across all counties, including all public Level 4 and 5 hospitals, found that millions of patients, especially in rural and underserved areas, still lack access to reliable diagnostic and treatment services.

The patient, who works at Garissa County Referral Hospital (GCRH), developed symptoms including fever, fatigue, and a characteristic rash on October 20, 2025.

The three, together with Archprime Medical Clinic, are further charged with acquiring and using proceeds of crime in violation of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, by receiving and utilising the fraudulent funds amounting to over Sh17 million.

The decision followed a complaint lodged by two families with the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ).

Ruto announced that the government is rolling out a comprehensive transformation plan to make the agency more efficient, sustainable, and dependable in ensuring constant access to essential medicines across the country.

Digital tools allow perpetrators to hide evidence, while law enforcement often lacks the technical skills to investigate cyber-related crimes.

Under the new framework, SHA has put in place a comprehensive household coverage model that ensures vulnerable families can access a wider range of essential health services.

In Kenya, the neonatal mortality rate stands at 21–22 per 1,000 live births, with sepsis responsible for approximately 16 per cent of these deaths — a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved maternal and neonatal care.

Endebess MPRobert Pukose, who chairs the Health Committee, condemned counties for diverting reimbursements, saying the practice is illegal and harms patient care.

CS Aden Duale stressed that clearing the NHIF debt is essential to restoring financial stability, ensuring uninterrupted health insurance coverage, and fully implementing the SHA framework.

Teenage pregnancies, particularly in Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa, are closely linked to preterm births and adverse neonatal outcomes.

While history has long credited Russia’s harsh winter and fierce resistance for decimating Napoleon’s forces, new evidence suggests the French emperor’s downfall was also driven by invisible enemies: bacteria.

Lenacapavir is administered as a six-monthly injection, starting with a subcutaneous initiation dose, supported by tablets on days one and two.

A new health assessment shows that most facilities in Kenya lack the capacity for safe childbirth, prompting the Ministry of Health to launch a nationwide crackdown on negligence, malpractice, and unqualified practitioners.

Despite advances in health access, the study reveals that many facilities remain below standard, with some performing complex procedures far beyond their level of classification.

Kenya’s leading psychiatric facility, Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, has reported a surge in cases linked to economic hardship.

Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar substitutes designed to provide sweetness without the calories or carbohydrates found in regular sugar.

During a comprehensive oversight visit, the committee assessed public hospitals to evaluate staffing, infrastructure, and resource management across Level Four and Level Five facilities.

It is important to follow basic health precautions when Rift Valley fever appears. Wash your hands regularly. Wear protective gear when handling animals or during slaughter.

By studying how our ancestors’ bodies and genes responded to environmental stress, we can learn how to build a healthier, more resilient future.

The governments of Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and Nigeria are investing in public-private partnerships to support this shift.

For millions of families in Sub-Saharan African countries like Kenya, having a preterm birth is all too common.

The combination of high demand and low capacity for regulatory oversight in a market renders it vulnerable to substandard and falsified medical products.

By turning the parasite’s own survival machinery against it, scientists may have found a subtle but powerful way to outsmart one of humanity’s oldest foes.

Isaack believes real change will only come when both genders are included in the conversation — when young men are taught empathy, respect, and shared responsibility.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), adolescent girls face numerous risks during pregnancy and childbirth that contribute to higher rates of maternal and neonatal complications compared to older women.

While significant progress has been made in the fight against polio both in Kenya and globally, the country’s porous borders continue to pose a risk of re-infection.

According to KUCFAW general secretary Andrew Kinyua, the recruitment process currently being conducted by SHA violates the Social Health Insurance Act (SHIF) 2023.

Under the agreement, the Kiambu County Government will immediately disburse one month of withheld salaries along with October 2025 pay, while the remaining arrears will be settled in installments in the 2026/27 financial year.