World health organisation Stories

Kenya marks World Blood Donor Day as state, Red Cross urge donations to save lives
Mary Wambui  |  Jun 14, 2025

The annual event seeks to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products.

WHO urges HIV testing for all mpox patients as global cases top 129,000
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jun 07, 2025

WHO pointed to mounting evidence that people living with untreated or poorly managed HIV are at significantly higher risk of developing severe complic...

South Sudan launches lifesaving vaccines to fight pneumonia, diarrhoea in children
XINHUA  |  May 28, 2025

Anin Ngot Ngot Mou, undersecretary in the Ministry of Health, described the rollout as a game changer in the fight against two of the country's leadin...

Kenya to increase WHO contributions by 20pc as part of global health funding push
Lucy Mumbi  |  May 22, 2025

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

Inside the ICU: Nurse's daily fight to save lives amid grief, shortages, silent strength
Charity Kilei  |  May 19, 2025

Nurses like Jackline Atieno form the backbone of the healthcare system, often serving as the first point of contact for patients and providing continu...

WHO warns of rising premature deaths from chronic diseases in global health wake-up call
Lucy Mumbi  |  May 18, 2025

According to WHO, the rise in premature deaths is being driven by population growth and ageing, with these chronic diseases now accounting for the maj...

WHO urges global action as medicalised FGM puts millions of girls at risk
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Apr 28, 2025

An estimated four million girls are still at risk each year, underlining the urgent need for global action to end this harmful tradition once and for...

Lack of reliable data hampers global response to youth mental health crisis
Charity Kilei  |  Apr 18, 2025

WHO says that only by using clear, fair, and well-tested ways of assessing mental health can countries avoid two common mistakes: either underestimati...

Tanzania launches diplomatic push for Prof Mohamed Janabi to head WHO Africa office
Mwangi Maina  |  Apr 17, 2025

To spearhead the lobbying effort, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has deployed former President Jakaya Kikwete as a special envoy, highlighting the high...

WHO members reach deal on global pandemic preparedness after 3 years of talks
Reuters  |  Apr 16, 2025

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 sh...

WHO launches first-ever global guidelines to combat meningitis and save lives
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 15, 2025

While meningitis can affect anyone, the disease burden is particularly high in low- and middle-income countries and areas experiencing large-scale epi...

Kenya receives 10,700 doses of Mpox vaccine as Ministry of Health seeks to curb spread
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 10, 2025

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

WHO says Tanzania Marburg virus disease outbreak resolved after no new cases in 42 days
Margaret Wanjiru  |  Mar 14, 2025

Thanks to lessons learned from the 2023 Marburg outbreak, Tanzania’s public health system was better equipped to handle this crisis.

UN appeals for funds to help contain Uganda Ebola outbreak
Reuters  |  Mar 04, 2025

Uganda's 10 confirmed cases have been linked to Ebola's Sudan strain which does not have an approved vaccine.

Overlooked early symptoms and the devastating impact of pneumonia on children
Charity Kilei  |  Feb 28, 2025

Strengthening these preventive and treatment measures remains crucial in reducing the devastating impact of pneumonia on children in Kenya and across...

SC Johnson opens Sh1.3 billion mosquito repellent production line in Nairobi
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Feb 04, 2025

Spatial repellents release chemicals into the air to prevent mosquitoes from biting people, which helps in reducing the spread of malaria.

New treatment procedures for drug-resistant TB to replace painful injections
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 02, 2025

The new regimens included combinations of newer drugs such as bedaquiline and delamanid, along with repurposed drugs like clofazimine and linezolid.

WHO says US HIV funding cut threatens lives of millions in low-income nations
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Jan 29, 2025

WHO has called on the United States government to grant additional exemptions to maintain the uninterrupted supply of HIV treatment and care.

WHO chief urges end to attacks on Sudan healthcare after 70 killed in drone strike
Reuters  |  Jan 26, 2025

The conflict has produced waves of ethnically driven violence blamed largely on the RSF, creating a humanitarian crisis.

Kenya's health programmes at risk as US pulls out of WHO
Charity Kilei  |  Jan 22, 2025

The US exit from the WHO is expected to reduce the organization's funding by approximately 18%, which could impact various WHO-led initiatives in Keny...

US withdrawal from WHO sparks alarm among nations over risks to global health
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Jan 21, 2025

Critics argue that the withdrawal comes at a critical time when global solidarity is crucial to addressing ongoing and future health crises.

Trump orders US exit from the World Health Organization
Reuters  |  Jan 21, 2025

The move means the U.S. will leave the United Nations health agency in 12 months' time and stop all financial contributions to its work.

WHO says 8 dead in suspected outbreak of Marburg virus disease in Tanzania's Kagera region
Rachael Mutabasi  |  Jan 15, 2025

The outbreak of MVD in Kagera poses a significant health concern not only for Tanzania but also for neighbouring countries, including Kenya.

New research suggests vigorous four-minute exercise can boost heart health
Charity Kilei  |  Dec 29, 2024

Physical activity supports bone health, fosters healthy muscle growth and development, and improves motor and cognitive skills in children and adolesc...

Rwanda declared Marburg-free after successful containment of deadly virus
Charity Kilei  |  Dec 20, 2024

The successful containment of the virus highlights Rwanda’s commitment to building resilient health systems and preparing for future public health eme...

Congo to get Japan's mpox vaccine for children from next week, Africa CDC says
Reuters  |  Dec 13, 2024

The doses' arrival will boost hopes of curbing the outbreak, which the WHO has declared a global public health emergency.

WHO sends experts to help DR Congo diagnose mystery disease
Reuters  |  Dec 07, 2024

Symptoms of the illness include headache, cough, fever, breathing difficulties and anaemia, according to the WHO.

Healthcare data gap hindering proper policymaking in developing nations
Charity Kilei  |  Nov 29, 2024

One prominent example of the gap in localised healthcare data can be seen in the area of smoking cessation and harm reduction strategies.

WHO approves new emergency mpox vaccine amid rising cases in Kenya
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Nov 22, 2024

While most people recover without complications, the disease can cause severe illness in some individuals.

Why health promoters need to address hesitant uptake of HPV vaccine
Charity Kilei  |  Nov 23, 2024

There is no cure for HPV itself, but treatments are available for the conditions it causes. 

Stay ahead of the news! Click ‘Yes, Thanks’ to receive breaking stories and exclusive updates directly to your device. Be the first to know what’s happening.