Health

Gates had initially announced plans to donate 99 per cent of his fortune on May 8, which is projected to hit $200 billion (Sh25.8 trillion) by 2045, when the Gates Foundation's activities are expected to come to an end.

Investigations show that these non-existent workers have been receiving monthly salaries of Sh50,000 each, costing taxpayers more than Sh1.5 million every month.

The World Health Organisation warns that tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death globally and a major contributor to noncommunicable diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.

Under the Social Health Authority (SHA), registering dependents is essential to ensure they receive health coverage alongside the primary member. Eligible dependents include spouses, children and disabled immediate family members. Children aged 21 to 25 must provide proof of full-time education, while those over 25 can only be registered if disabled and dependent.

In a statement, WHO recommended the maternal vaccine be administered to pregnant women in their third trimester, offering newborns passive immunity at birth.

In numerous informal settlements, calls for better services, such as effective rubbish collection and proper drainage, have gone unanswered. As a result, residents have learnt to accept and adapt to dangerous living conditions.

Known as Lipa SHA Pole Pole or Lipa SHA Mos Mos, the system allows Kenyan households, especially those in the informal sector, to pay their annual health insurance contributions in flexible instalments.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a prevalent mental health condition and a significant public health concern, often arising from exposure to life-threatening or traumatic events.

All individuals and companies previously licensed must reapply within 21 days and provide full compliance documentation.

Duale assured the Committee that the Ministry had conducted public engagement specific to the tariffs. He said the Ministry published a newspaper advert on June 10, 2024, calling for submissions, which closed on June 17, 2024.

He noted that the strike will affect all government health facilities except Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where concerns are already being handled. However, he warned that even MTRH nurses may join the strike if it goes beyond a week.

The agreement, formalised through an MoU, is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen financial protection for cancer patients in line with Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.

Public Health PS Mary Muthoni warned that tobacco and nicotine use among children is not only rising but is being fueled by deliberate strategies from the tobacco industry.

One of the primary areas where PEG-MGF might hold promise is tissue repair and cellular proliferation.

KNH Acting CEO William Sigilai said the hospital has fast-tracked the procurement of a new machine.

The CS on Wednesday said the planned public release of a “list of shame” is part of the Ministry’s effort to clean up the sector and rebuild public trust in the health system.

An attempt by the Kiambu County government to stop the strike through a court order on Tuesday morning failed, prompting the KMPDU to confirm that its members would proceed with the boycott.

Physical access, affordability and attitudes remain major barriers to healthcare.

SHA stressed that all employers must register their organisations via the official employer portal, enrol their employees along with their dependents and make contributions before the ninth day of every month.

At 20 months (or under two years), toddlers need full-fat, fresh pasteurised milk in moderation, and breast milk if still nursing — in line with recommendations by the Ministry of Health and the American Academy of Paediatrics.

The new system will also guide policies like restricting marketing of unhealthy foods to children and other measures to improve Kenya’s food environment. With rising obesity and diet-related diseases driven by a shift from traditional foods to processed options, changes are urgently needed.

The committee will conduct thorough reviews, analyse Kenya’s disease burden, and provide expert recommendations to inform policy decisions grounded in robust data and evidence.

Key factors causing mental health challenges for healthcare workers include heavy workloads, limited resources, tough working conditions, delayed pay for nurses and midwives, and no pay at all for community health volunteers (CHVs).

Without timely intervention and proper nutritional support, many individuals continue to suffer in silence, unaware that early dietary and medical management can make a significant difference in their quality of life.

PSC chairperson Anthony Muchiri said the decision is meant to ensure smooth operations as SHA prepares to fully take over health insurance services.

The increasing demand for affordable medication has put many Kenyans at risk of unknowingly consuming fake drugs.

Trans fats, especially those produced industrially, are commonly found in baked goods, margarine, vegetable shortening, fried foods, and products like Vanaspati ghee.

As a nephrology nurse, commonly known as a dialysis nurse, Kalima specialises in treating patients with chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.

Untreated chlamydia is a leading cause of preterm birth. It can cause inflammation and infections in the reproductive tract, increasing the chances of early labour, which poses risks to both the mother and the baby.

The hospital had moved to the Court of Appeal seeking to stop and have the judge recuse herself from the case.

The National Assembly Health Committee chair, James Nyikal, said the extra funds include Sh5 billion to pay gratuity to the 8,550 UHC workers whose contracts end in May 2026.

The report, presented by Seme MP James Nyikal, also shows that an additional Sh5 billion will be required to pay gratuities to UHC staff once their contracts end.

The unions under the Health Sector Caucus, said at least 97 Global Fund staff, mostly clinical and laboratory officers, have gone nearly a year without salaries despite promises of absorption into the public system.

The WHO donor base expanded this year with both long-standing supporters and new contributors providing fresh voluntary funding.

Moved by the number of young men falling into the same trap he had escaped, he founded Chipukeezy—a youth group that uses sports to promote mental health awareness and fight drug abuse.

The system allows applicants to submit all required details electronically, including the facility name, location, classification, services offered, staffing, and certified documents.

Of these, 376 were in Nairobi, 77 in Wajir, and 58 in Mandera. The facilities were closed for failing to meet the required healthcare delivery standards.

More than 3,600 attacks were recorded against health workers and medical facilities in conflict zones, marking the highest number ever reported by the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition.

Nurses like Jackline Atieno form the backbone of the healthcare system, often serving as the first point of contact for patients and providing continuous, compassionate care throughout the healing process.

Pay disparities and poor treatment continue to plague healthcare workers under the UHC programme, with around 8,500 staff reportedly earning only half their salaries for over five years since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we track and analyse athletic movement. A new wave of markerless motion capture technology promises to make sports performance analysis more accessible, affordable and accurate - both on and off the field.

Leaders from the profession have urged the government to prioritise their welfare through promotions, policy implementation and adequate resourcing.

According to WHO, the rise in premature deaths is being driven by population growth and ageing, with these chronic diseases now accounting for the majority of deaths among those under 70.

Parkinson’s disease affects over one million people in the United States alone, and that number is projected to double by 2040. While current treatments can manage some symptoms, there is no cure, and no therapy yet halts the disease's progression.

It said it has launched a formal inquiry into the matter, with immediate steps taken to protect patient safety.

Unlike many diseases that present clear symptoms, high blood pressure often goes unnoticed for years. Many people have no idea they suffer from it until significant damage has already occurred. This silent condition can quietly wreak havoc on vital organs, particularly the kidneys.

He stated that the Ministry of Health is currently reviewing existing policies and laws to ensure that organ donation and transplants in Kenya are conducted transparently, ethically, and safely.

The findings offer new insight into the genetic risks of the disease in African populations and highlight the need for more inclusive genomic research.

Duale said the shortage, which has left thousands of children unprotected, was triggered by the Treasury’s failure to release Sh930 million in co-financing funds to Gavi in good time.

Ruto had challenged county governments to play their part by paying KEMSA for the drugs delivered.