Health

Duale said some counties had been using the funds for other purposes, like paying staff, which left many health facilities without basic medicines and other essential supplies.

Duale said the Council plays a crucial role in ensuring that all Kenyans can access safe and quality healthcare regardless of their age or financial status.

While handwashing, proper sanitation, and breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of infection, experts agree that vaccination offers the most effective protection.

The donors are willing to confirm they were not paid, and the hospital is ready to release its patient files to address any concerns.

Outbreaks typically escalate in overcrowded areas with broken sewer systems and limited access to clean water, creating the perfect environment for cholera bacteria to thrive.

In Kenya, many pregnant women, especially in rural and low-income areas, miss out on essential prenatal care like ultrasounds due to cost and accessibility barriers.

From hormonal changes to the physical demands of breastfeeding, mothers may experience an increased risk of dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and enamel erosion.

Haemophilia is a disorder where blood does not clot properly, leading to prolonged bleeding after injuries or surgeries.

WHO says that only by using clear, fair, and well-tested ways of assessing mental health can countries avoid two common mistakes: either underestimating the problem and leaving young people without help, or overestimating it and stretching health systems too thin.

This number is in sharp contrast to the formal sector, where 4.9 million individuals are actively making contributions.

Etot's plea to the government is to include outpatient services for haemophilia in the Social Health Authority (SHA) package.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that it is investigating Mediheal Hospital in Eldoret over allegations of organ trafficking involving foreign kidney donors, following a complaint from the Transplantation Society.

The outbreak, detected in February on a farm in the Bong county, killed 18 birds out of a flock of 26,000, the Paris-based WOAH said, quoting information from Liberian authorities.

Duale directed the immediate suspension of Dr. Maurice Wakwabubi, acting KBTTS boss and Dr. Everlyne Chege, the technical lead who chaired the probe team. He cited that this would eliminate potential conflicts of interest during the ongoing investigations.

The five-day campaign was launched following the detection of new polio cases along the Kenya–Ethiopia border.

The audit will examine governance, clinical practices, ethical compliance, and patient safety protocols. The committee is expected to report back within 90 days.

He further directed that all patients currently seeking transplant-related services at Mediheal be redirected to eight other licensed transplant centres across the country, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Nairobi Hospital, among others.

On this day, governments and health bodies are reminded to put in place policies and plans that will support patients and their families in the long run.

He affirmed that these contributions were sustainable and would cover all benefits as stipulated by law, noting that the government funds primary healthcare (PHC) services, easing the burden on contributors.

The agreement is widely seen as a victory for the global health agency at a time when multilateral organisations like the WHO have been battered by sharp cuts in US foreign funding.

The fact-finding mission recommended urgent steps, including establishing national standards for transplant services, setting up a legislative and regulatory framework to counter potential organ trafficking, and creating a centralised registry to track the origins of donors and the outcomes of transplants.

The Ministry of Health said the hospital failed to provide sufficient documentation to confirm the relationship between donors and recipients, some of whom were of different nationalities.

While meningitis can affect anyone, the disease burden is particularly high in low- and middle-income countries and areas experiencing large-scale epidemics, like the ‘Meningitis Belt’ in sub-Saharan Africa.

Among the resolutions are the acceleration of digital health system integration in counties, the distribution of essential medical devices, and the absorption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff.

An international network is allegedly taking advantage of vulnerable, poor people in Kenya on one side and the hopes of those desperately needing life-saving organs in Germany on the other.

The well-known maxim that “prevention is better than cure” holds not just for health outcomes but also for economic efficiency.

KMPDU Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah speaks to The Eastleigh Voice on why medics are too poor to afford the very services they render.

The agency notes that sharp decline has already led to the closure of essential services, the collapse of community health systems, and the reversal of decades of progress in HIV prevention, treatment and advocacy.

There is ongoing research into new treatments and potential breakthroughs for cerebral palsy, which include gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and developments in neuroplasticity and new medications.

By ensuring proper footwear, promoting physical activity, and staying vigilant for early signs of foot problems, parents can help their children avoid long-term foot issues.

Unlike domesticated meat, which comes from just 20 or so animal species, the wild meat trade involves hundreds of species.

Critically ill patients are treated in general hospital wards, and the provision of essential emergency and critical care is limited.

Front-of-pack labelling refers to a system that places nutritional information directly on the front of packaged food products, intended to provide consumers with quick, easy-to-read details about the health content of the food they are purchasing.

As of April 6, at least 97 cases—including a 1-year-old child—and six deaths had been reported across Migori, Kisumu and Nairobi counties.

In a clinical trial of 708 women, when capivasertib was combined with hormone therapy, it doubled the time before cancer progressed, from 3.6 months to 7.3 months.

There is no single test to diagnose it, but experienced neurologists who are specialists in brain and nerve conditions can often identify it based on symptoms.

Mwangangi, a specialist in health financing and policy, brings over 15 years of experience in areas such as universal health coverage, institutional reform, and strengthening of health systems.

Duale met with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) on Thursday, promising to address issues raised by doctors ahead of their planned April strike.

The audit notes that counties were expected to contribute a combined Sh450 million for the 2023/24 financial year, but 12 counties did not provide Sh102.67 million of their share.

Health officials have prioritised high-risk groups for vaccination, including healthcare workers, close contacts of confirmed cases, long-distance truck drivers and sex workers.

PSGK, a local non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with Parkinson’s disease, has organised a series of events to educate the public and promote understanding of the condition.

While there is still much work to be done, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said ongoing efforts are showing improvements to control the ongoing outbreak, with medical interventions showing positive results.

He attributed the surge in counterfeit medicines to corruption. He urged all Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) and regulatory bodies under the Ministry of Health to uphold integrity at all levels.

Experts believe the disease's spread is linked to recent floods, which have created ideal conditions for sandflies, the insects responsible for transmitting the disease.

This shortage could cripple the institute's ability to offer timely treatment and support to cancer patients, many of whom depend on its services for their survival.

Our research found that both engineered wetlands (wetlands created by humans) and pilot-scaled gravity filters (a filter that uses gravity to draw water in and remove pollution) would be able to control floods and improve the quality of floodwater in camps.

The deaths represent a major loss for the park, which has been working to increase the number of hippos in recent decades after poaching and war reduced the population from over 20,000 to a few hundred by 2006. The park now holds about 1,200 hippos.

The report highlights the stark regional disparities in maternal mortality rates, noting that while sub-Saharan Africa has made significant progress, it still accounts for approximately 70 percent of global maternal deaths.

Even before the aid cuts led by the United States, things were backsliding in some countries, and progress has slowed globally since 2016, the report said.

The strike, which began on February 27, 2025, has been called off following the successful resolution of all nine demands made by KMPDU.

According to the Ministry of Health, counties including Migori, Kisumu and Nairobi are among the hardest hit by the infectious disease.

After their family is complete, the womb will be removed, allowing Grace to stop taking daily immunosuppressants that help prevent her body from rejecting the organ.

Between 2017 and 2021, maternal deaths more than doubled—from 409 to 1,053—while 4,307 newborn deaths were recorded in 2021. Prematurity, birth asphyxia, and sepsis are leading causes of newborn deaths. For mothers, postpartum haemorrhage, sepsis, and pre-eclampsia are the primary culprits.

The committee, chaired by James Masiro, comprises professionals from the private sector, county governments, and the Social Health Authority (SHA) and has been granted a 90-day window to complete its assignment.

While SHA has made promises to improve the healthcare system, including new commitments by Health CS Aden Duale, some experts believe the rollout was rushed and lacked transparency.

Kenya Red Cross, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Nairobi County Health Team, has intensified sanitation and hygiene campaigns in response to the outbreak.

In recent years, research has increasingly focused on how specific foods can help people living with diabetes better control their blood sugar levels.

The funding comes at a crucial time when many of these organisations faced the threat of halting services due to a prolonged freeze in US support.

Kenya is facing a dire vaccine shortage, with stock levels expected to be depleted by June 2025, placing millions of children at risk of preventable diseases.

According to Kenya's Ministry of Health, approximately 7.5 million Kenyans need eye care services, with cataracts, refractive errors, and allergies being the main contributors to eye diseases.

The assurance follows concerns raised after a recent meeting between the Ministry and key stakeholders where it was noted that the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) had been temporarily disrupted due to the funding cuts.

The statement further noted that the MoH has deployed two mobile laboratories as part of an intervention to enhance early detection and treatment of the disease.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu said the key projects, including the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Paediatric Emergency and Burns Centre, the Kisii Cancer Centre and the East Africa Kidney Institute Centre of Excellence, are significantly behind schedule.

According to the Ministry, SHA has already settled claims amounting to Sh24 billion, with an additional Sh2.1 billion paid under the primary health care fund.

Duale also announced the operationalisation of a 24/7 Taifa Care call centre, which is designed to provide continuous support and resolve health-related queries.

Duale said reimbursement for intensive care unit and high dependency unit services has been significantly increased, rising from Sh4,480 to Sh28,000 per day.

The World Bank's support covered crucial aspects such as blood collection, testing for infectious diseases, processing blood components and digitalising the system.

The NHIF Pending Medical Claims Verification Committee will be responsible for determining the legitimacy of outstanding medical claims accumulated between July 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024.

Kenya’s HIV programme has long relied on USAID support, but with the healthcare system under immense strain, the government maintains that existing stockpiles will last up to four months.

The rising cases of preterm births are becoming a major global health concern, with devastating consequences for newborns and their families.​

According to the LIGHT Consortium, TB remains a significant public health challenge in Kenya, disproportionately affecting men. The consortium reports that 55% of TB cases occur in men, compared to 33% in women and 12% in children.

Trump's administration withdrew from the WHO upon taking office in January, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.

The infection often causes fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes. Last month, the Africa CDC announced that the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa remains classified as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.

U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi in Trenton, New Jersey, ordered the drugmaker's Janssen unit to pay $360 million for violating the federal False Claims Act.

To mark TB Awareness Week, the facility is conducting free TB testing, aiming to reach those who might otherwise go undiagnosed.

PS Kimtai accused private healthcare providers of attempting to blackmail both the government and the public by withholding services.

NDIC stated that the payments have played a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of healthcare services and alleviating financial pressures on facilities.

The funding aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure, improve medical equipment, and support the government’s push for Universal Health Coverage.

Health officials believe contaminated water and poor sanitation are key contributors to the crisis.

A breakdown of the disbursement shows that faith-based organizations received Sh3.5 billion, public hospitals were allocated Sh7.2 billion, and private healthcare providers received Sh11.4 billion.

It has been estimated that up to 50% of people with diabetes will develop damage to their peripheral nerves during their lifetime, and up to 50% will experience pain because of that nerve damage.

By transforming health pathways and addressing gender disparities, Kenya can strengthen its TB response and improve health outcomes for all.

The prevalence of dental caries, gum disease, and dental fluorosis remains alarmingly high in Kenya, with many cases left untreated, leading to long-term complications.

The exact cause is unknown, but possible factors include genetics, immune system disorders, and retrograde menstruation (where menstrual blood flows backward into the pelvic cavity instead of leaving the body).

With cannabis use on the rise in Kenya, public health experts stress the need for awareness campaigns and targeted interventions to mitigate its impact on society. Addressing the risks associated with marijuana use, particularly among the youth, remains a crucial step in safeguarding public health and well-being.

Beyond Kenya, experts at the conference emphasised the need for African nations to develop self-sustaining healthcare financing strategies rather than relying on unpredictable donor funding.

In addition to fumigation and spraying, the trained health team will conduct awareness campaigns to educate the public on the signs and symptoms of kala-azar, modes of transmission, incubation period, and preventive measures.

The vacancy arose following the suspension of Elijah Wachira in November 2024, amid investigations into his professional conduct and performance. Ingasira stepped in as acting CEO.

WHO’s Global TB Report 2024 shows that TB deaths in Africa have dropped by 42 per cent between 2015 and 2023, while cases have declined by 24 per cent.

Research consistently shows that tailored early intervention programmes can significantly improve cognitive, motor, and social abilities, offering children a better chance to thrive and reach their full potential.