Health

As the country marks Sickle Cell Awareness Month, patients and doctors are united in their call that awareness is no longer enough. Lower drug costs, better screening, and informed choices are the steps that could finally break the cycle and save lives.

With proper diagnosis and treatment, Dr Ogle says, most people with epilepsy can live normal, healthy lives. But it starts with education — including knowing how to respond to a seizure.

Cancer is an emotionally charged and high-stakes diagnosis. Loss-framed misinformation spreads quickly and can influence decisions that can put people at risk. Even when presented with correct medical information, the emotional weight of loss-informed cancer misinformation can override rational thought.

As Kenya prepares to roll out front-of-pack labelling within the next year, stories like Esther Apondi’s remind us that behind every statistic is a family, a struggle, and a chance to do better.

Traditional medicine is deeply rooted in Kenyan culture, and for good reason. Many herbal remedies offer genuine therapeutic benefits, with modern pharmaceuticals often originating from plant-based compounds.

The SHA Board also expressed profound gratitude to staff for their unwavering dedication and support to the interim senior management team during the transition period.

KMPDU Chairperson Abidan Mwachi urged the administration to uphold the commitments made in the return-to-work agreement signed with the Ministry of Health last year.

According to Dr Micah Kibera, a Nairobi-based clinical nutritionist, one of the most overlooked causes is the steady decline of physical activity in children’s daily routines.

The move follows revelations of widespread abuse of the scheme by cartels and unregulated foreign hospitals.

Recently, the SHA suspended 45 health facilities across multiple counties, declaring that they would not be entitled to any benefits under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, during the suspension period.

Council of Governors (CoG) Health Committee Chair Muthomi Njuki said the trend is becoming widespread, with some doctors using public hospitals to build patient lists before sending them to their private facilities for profit.

According to Amos Kamau, Nutrition Advocacy Strategist at the Institute for Food Justice and Development and youth representative at the World Food Forum, the biggest challenge is that many parents do not recognise the early warning signs.

UNICEF is urging African governments to protect children’s diets from unhealthy ingredients

Hospital management explained that the facility receives referrals from at least eight counties, including Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Baringo, Trans Nzoia, Homa Bay, Bungoma, Nandi, and Kericho.

A growing body of research supports concerns that artificial sweeteners may not be as safe as once believed.

Oluga said some little-known facilities, including those linked to powerful figures, had received millions of shillings for questionable services, a revelation that has sparked public outrage.

The survey is expected to provide Kenya with its first nationally representative data on mental health conditions.

The decision has sent ripples through the beauty industry, where gel nail polishes are prized for their durability, glossy finish, and faster drying time compared to regular polishes.

Dr Matthew Koech, a nephrologist at the Oak Tree Centre for Kidney and Chronic Diseases, highlighted the difficulties caused by the absence of a proper transport system.

Oluga said the challenge has left thousands of Kenyans, particularly young people and low-income earners, unable to benefit from SHA because their SIM cards are often registered under different ID numbers, commonly belonging to parents or relatives.

The release of the funds comes after last month, the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF) warned that private hospitals across the country would no longer treat civil servants unless payments were made, citing delays of over nine months by the government.

In a joint statement released on September 8, the unions stressed that the smooth integration of UHC contract staff into permanent county roles is long overdue and should be treated as a national emergency.

Although the 10th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok hosted over 100 discussions on economic and regional issues, the unveiling of the cancer vaccine, Enteromix, captured the spotlight.

The Health Committee, chaired by Seme MP Dr James Nyikal, was encouraged to spearhead the development of new legislation specifically for organ transplantation.

Medical Superintendent Dr Benson Muchiri said that between February and May this year, the hospital submitted claims worth Sh56,121,150. However, instead of crediting its account, SHA sent the entire amount to Mt Kenya Hospital.

The county chiefs said they will not comply unless the national treasury provides at least Sh7.7 billion to meet the cost of converting the contracts to permanent and pensionable terms.

Despite the SHA Act’s promise to guarantee affordable healthcare for all, especially those grappling with chronic and critical illnesses like cancer, the coalition jointly argues that many patients continue to face severe obstacles in accessing quality treatment.

In a statement, KEHPHPU praised President Ruto for taking decisive action to regularise the employment of UHC staff, who have worked under temporary contracts for more than five years.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral illness causing fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash that progresses to painful, pus-filled lesions.

While it has a history of recreational use, LSD is now being seriously reconsidered by the medical community for its therapeutic potential when administered in controlled, clinical settings.

Ethiopia’s success offers a practical and scalable model for countries seeking to strengthen emergency medical preparedness.

Data from the Africa CDC showed that the average weekly confirmed cases fell by 52 per cent, from a peak of 1,441 weekly average cases in May to 695 cases over the past five weeks.

The association described SHA’s financing model as unsustainable, noting that the authority collects about Sh5.4 billion monthly but generates claims of Sh8.7 billion, creating a monthly deficit of up to Sh3.5 billion.

The study offers rare insight into the genetic ancestry of early Egyptians and reveals links to both ancient north Africa and Mesopotamia, which includes modern-day Iraq and parts of Syria, Turkey and Iran.

The exercise comes as Busia County continues to record a rising number of mpox cases, highlighting the need for urgent preventive action.

DNA sequencing has revolutionised cancer care. Doctors can use it to improve prevention in people who are at risk of cancer, detect cancer early, and select the most appropriate treatment.

Evidence suggests that high rates of bathroom phone use—combined with extended sitting times—are contributing to rising cases of haemorrhoids and related health issues.

MPs raised concerns that Kenyans are struggling to access services despite being registered under the new scheme, citing delays in claims, stalled automation and abrupt closures of some facilities.

There’s also stigma. Older adults grew up during a time when HIV was associated with silence and shame. Many feel deep embarrassment or fear about getting tested, disclosing their status, or even discussing sexual health with healthcare providers. Some simply don’t believe it could happen to them.

Risk factors for developing breast cancer include being female, increasing age, being overweight, alcohol consumption and genetic factors.

The UN health agency stresses that mental health should be treated as a fundamental human right. Without urgent action, millions will continue to suffer without support, and societies will bear rising social and economic costs.

Atellah explained that the ministry had cleared arrears for 420 government-sponsored registrars in 2018 after negotiations with the union.

Each type of viral hepatitis differs in terms of how it spreads, the severity of illness, treatment options, and prevention strategies.

RFK Jr’s department has dismissed and replaced the 17 expert members of the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices with eight new people, a number of whom have reportedly expressed anti-vaccination views.

Cultural factors can also reduce uptake. Misconceptions about infertility, fear of health risks, and social expectations about childbearing can discourage women from choosing long-acting methods. Without targeted community education and supportive policies, these barriers remain entrenched.

The President also said he would soon meet governors and MPs so that they, too, can pay for close to another one million Kenyans.

The meeting further resolved to roll out a Governors’ Dashboard to track Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) claim payments, with all claims expected to be settled by the 14th of every month.

The proposed laws come amidst reports of illegal organ harvesting by certain health facilities that are facing government ban and scrutiny.

In her report for the financial year ending June 2024, Gathungu said the hospital was forced to continue bearing deficits as reimbursements under both schemes remained significantly below the cost of care.

According to the Ministry, the 1,188 files represent the culmination of these enforcement efforts. SHA’s submissions include facilities with proven fraud, others still under investigation, and those closed by KMPDC but previously contracted with SHA.