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Health reforms: Hits and misses under Kenya Kwanza

Kenya has registered a record 32.2 million people under SHA, alongside major health reforms, but experts warn that gaps in contributions, could undermine progress toward Universal Health Coverage.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 days ago

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Counties defend SHA highlight health gains

The Council of Governors (CoG) has defended the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying the new health financing system has helped channel billions of shillings to county hospitals

By Mercy Kahenda 2 days ago

Duale defends Kenya Kwanza health reforms, UHC programme

Health CS Aden Duale has defended the Kenya Kwanza administration’s health reforms, saying significant progress has been made in improving access to medicines and health workers.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 days ago

Wetang'ula says health reforms have curbed corruption, reshaped care financing

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula says Kenya’s health reforms have strengthened healthcare financing, curbed corruption and improved access to quality care.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 days ago

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How three deaths set a scientist on a lifelong mission to unravel Hepatitis B

The tragic loss of a woman and her two children to Hepatitis B virus shocked Dr Missiani Ochwoto, ultimately changing the course of his scientific career.

By Mercy Kahenda 3 days ago

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Healthcare crisis: Patients die as State, counties keep wobbling

Shortages of nurses, clinical officers and other healthcare workers have disrupted emergency care, surgeries, referrals and other essential services across several counties.

By Mercy Kahenda 3 days ago

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Kenya tightens war on fake drugs with a medicine tracking system

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board is implementing authentication and track-and-trace technology to provide greater visibility of medicines across the supply chain.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 days ago

Health Summit to take stock of Kenya's journey towards UHC

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale says the summit will showcase the progress of the Government’s health reforms under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 days ago

Harsh reality of Kenya's healthcare, as patients struggle to access basic services

During the Health Summit next week achievements in the health sector will take centre stage, however, there are concerns about the state of healthcare in the country

By Mercy Kahenda 5 days ago

SHA recovers Sh300m in fraud claims as 15 cases go to court

SHA has recovered at least Sh300 million from fraudulent claims, with more cases still under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

By Mercy Kahenda 8 days ago

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Ruto's UHC promise check as 2027 polls nears

UHC remains unfinished a year before the 2027 election, with experts citing SHA gaps, funding challenges, medicine shortages and weak implementation.

By Mercy Kahenda 9 days ago

SHA enrollment hits 32.2 million but only 5 million pay premiums

Health CS Duale noted that 32.2 million Kenyans are SHA registered members, with Mombasa leading in registration, having achieved an 80 per cent registration rate.

By Mercy Kahenda 8 days ago

Striking nurses dare governors to hire replacements

The nurses’ union has dismissed threats by the Council of Governors (CoG) to direct counties to hire new nurses to bridge the service gap caused by the ongoing strike.

By Mercy Kahenda 9 days ago

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Working mothers are finding innovative ways to breastfeed and bond with their babies

Innovative breastfeeding spaces in Kenya are helping working mothers, including casual labourers, continue exclusive and extended breastfeeding despite economic and workplace challenges.

By Mercy Kahenda 10 days ago

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Biden's cancer battle highlights need for early prostate-cancer diagnosis

News that former US President Joe Biden's prostate cancer has spread to his bones has drawn attention to a disease that is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage among Kenyan men.

By Mercy Kahenda 9 days ago

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SHA's 2 per cent hospital deduction sparks court battle over digital project

Hospitals are challenging a two per cent deduction from their Social Health Authority (SHA) claims, which goes towards funding the Sh104 billion digital superhighway.

By Mercy Kahenda 11 days ago

Biden's cancer battle highlights growing concern over prostate cancer in Kenya

Most Kenyan men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at an advanced stage, when the disease may already have metastasised.

By Mercy Kahenda 10 days ago

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Donor cuts hit family planning as contraceptives shortage bites

Kenya is reporting stock out of family planning devices risking abortions and unwanted pregnancies.

By Mercy Kahenda 15 days ago

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Sh5.3b worth of medicines wasted in five years, ministry study shows

Medicines and medical commodities worth Sh5.3 billion expired or were damaged in Kenya over the past five years.

By Mercy Kahenda 16 days ago

Humanitarian groups call for shift to climate-smart farming to combat food insecurity

Humanitarian organisations have called for a shift from emergency food aid to long-term investments that help communities withstand the growing impact of climate change.

By Mercy Kahenda 15 days ago

Ridiculed for visiting mothers, man leads Teso's breastfeeding awareness drive

Gregory Ekidit was mocked and given nicknames such as “counsellor wa wamama (women’s counsellor),” while others thought he was wooing their wives.

By Mercy Kahenda 16 days ago

Only six out of ten newborns get lifesaving first-hour breast milk

Only six in 10 babies born in Kenya are breastfed within the first hour of life despite nearly nine in 10 deliveries taking place under the care of skilled health workers.

By Mercy Kahenda 17 days ago

Hepatitis B: How a new initiative is saving newborns from infection

Salima Sitet's journey from a hepatitis B diagnosis during pregnancy to delivering a hepatitis B-free baby highlights Kenya's efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

By Mercy Kahenda 17 days ago

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How stigma fuels Hepatitis B in endemic zones

Nelson once moved without fear. He shared meals, laughter, and closeness with those he loved. At sixteen, everything changed. Diagnosed with Hepatitis B

By Mercy Kahenda 19 days ago

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How climate-smart farming is making Taita a rice powerhouse

Fadhili Juma repairs irrigation canals that run through his lush rice farm, channelling water from River Lumi to nourish the crop ahead of the next growing cycle.

By Mercy Kahenda 21 days ago

Health experts warn hepatitis B remains a silent epidemic in Kenya

Health experts are warning that hepatitis B remains a silent but highly infectious public health threat in Kenya, with millions undiagnosed due to low awareness, stigma and limited screening.

By Mercy Kahenda 23 days ago

King of Lesotho to tour Taita's climate farming initiatives

The King of Lesotho arrived in Kenya on Sunday ahead of an official agricultural field visit to Taita Taveta County.

By Mercy Kahenda 24 days ago

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Governor Nyong'o opens up about cancer diagnosis

After surviving prostate cancer, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o turned his personal battle into a mission to expand cancer awareness, screening and access to treatment across Kenya.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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How hospitals are forcing patients to pay, collect ARVs

People living with HIV in Kenya are raising concerns over alleged charges for accessing free ARVs, while shortages of key HIV commodities threaten treatment access and prevention efforts.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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From war to fear: Children seeking asylum still at risks at Kakuma refugees camp

Lucy cradles her six-month-old son against her chest, her thin arms wrapped around him as if he were the only anchor left in her fractured world.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Kenya, US seal Sh325b health deal as G2G funding model takes effect

Kenya has become the first country to sign the US America First Global Strategy agreement, securing a $2.5 billion five-year funding package with a 34 per cent co-financing commitment.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Struggle for ambulances leaves lives at risk as Kenya unveils emergency response plan

Kenya is rolling out a national ambulance dispatch service under SHA to improve emergency response as patients continue to face life-threatening delays caused by ambulance shortages.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Snakebite tragedy exposes patients' struggle as Laikipia nurses strike intensifies

At around 9.30 am, as 46-year-old Eunice Kapuria got ready for church, she heard the boy who had been basking outside the house, cry out in pain.A snake had bitten him on the arm.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Your bread, biscuits could contain harmful fats, experts warn

Health experts are warning that commonly consumed processed foods such as bread, biscuits and pastries may contain harmful industrial trans fats.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Why plans to visit US-backed Ebola in Laikipia were postponed

A planned parliamentary visit to the US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base has been postponed as health experts urge Kenya to strengthen Ebola preparedness.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Patients demand answers over expired ARVs

People living with HIV are demanding answers over how expired antiretroviral (ARV) medicines got to be distributed in public hospitals.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Too young to be mothers: Inside Kenya's teenage pregnancy crisis

The growing number of teenage pregnancies has prompted community organisations to intervene where families and public institutions have fallen short.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

People living with HIV demand supply of quality ARVs

People living with HIV are demanding constant supply of quality and standard Antiretroviral (ARVs).

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Outcry as people living with HIV receive expired ARVs amid acute drug shortages

People living with HIV have raised alarm over being issued expired or limited supplies of key antiretroviral drugs amid reported shortages.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Newborns at risk of acquring HIV as the country runs out of preventive drugs

At birth, the babies are put on zidovudine and nevirapine, (prophylaxis) drugs that prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago