WHO holds discussions with the civil society on prioritising traditional, complementary and integrative healthcare

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and a group of WHO senior officials met with representatives of civil society, to discuss their priorities on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, in the lead-up to the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit on 17 and 18 August 2023

Unpaid hospital and mortuary bills: Analysing proposed amendments to the Health Act

Discharged but confined in hospitals; deceased but detained in mortuaries. These are the prevalent harsh realities facing families unable to clear medical or mortuary bills. The situation is an infringement on human dignity and basic freedoms as enshrined in Articles 28, 29 and 39 (1)

WHO IS WHO- New Kemsa Board Chairperson Irungu Nyakera

In a bid to rectify the deep-rooted corruption and mismanagement of medical supplies within the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa), President William Ruto appointed a new board chairperson, Mr Irungu Nyakera. With a track record of academic excellence and a diverse professional background, Mr Nyakera

New WHO guidelines discourage non-sugar sweeteners for weight control

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new guideline on non-sugar sweeteners (NSS), which recommends against the use of NSS to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of

Focus on kidney health is key in fighting non-communicable diseases

The enormous negative impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on public health systems across the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region today is receiving much more attention on the policy agenda than it did two decades ago. Amid this commendable progress, however, there is an emerging risk that

Curbing Alcohol Abuse in Kenya: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Government Measures and Proposed Solutions

Alcohol abuse is a prevalent issue in Kenya, and the government has implemented various measures to tackle it. These measures comprise policies, programmes, and regulations to reduce alcohol abuse, enhance treatment and rehabilitation, and promote responsible drinking habits. This article analyses the government’s efforts to

Time is ripe period poverty and period shame in Kenya

Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba unorthodox bid to raise awareness on the scourge of period shame and period poverty was the talk of the country on Valentine’s Day 2023. Orwoba caused a stir as she attended parliamentary proceedings in a white ‘blood-stained’ suit. The Senator drew

WHO issues temporary recommendations in relation to the multi-country outbreak of mpox

These proposed Temporary Recommendations continue to support the goal of the Strategic Preparedness, Readiness and Response Plan for Monkeypox 2022–2023 with the aim of stopping the ongoing mpox outbreak and its objectives to interrupt human-to-human transmission, protect the vulnerable, and minimize zoonotic transmission of the

Baby formula industry: Time to pass law on breast milk substitutes

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently sounded the alarm on the continued and aggressive marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes but where does Kenya lie on this issue? Kenya issued draft Breast Milk Substitutes (Regulations and Control) (General) Regulations in 2021 for public review. The draft

E-waste management in Kenya: Regulatory landscape and what companies can do to safeguard the environment

E-waste refers to electronic products that are unwanted, not working, and nearing or at the end of their “useful life.” E-waste can also be any electrical or electronic equipment that’s been discarded. This includes working and broken items that are thrown in the garbage. E-waste

WHO calls for stern measures against exploitative advertisements by the formula milk industry.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has decried the surge in exploitative marketing tactics used by the formula milk industry and called for a clamp down on the industry.  In a statement on 6th February 2023, WHO faulted the vast economic and political power of the

Estimating pandemic product needs and allocation levels

Supported by the PIP Framework Partnership Contribution, in 2022, WHO initiated a project to estimate medical countermeasures (MCMs) needed during a future influenza pandemic. Effective planning for the deployment of pandemic influenza response products including vaccines, antivirals and diagnostics is critical to ensuring the timely

How well do development partners work together and follow country priorities to achieve the health SDGs?

Views from national governments and relevant authorities 52 national governments and relevant authorities provided their views on how well multilateral agencies and other development partners align to their national priorities and plans and collaborate with each other to increase efficiencies and avoid duplications when providing

Kenya demographic and health survey 2022 Key indicators report

The Kenya demographic and health survey  2022 shows that the average number of sexual partners are 2:3 among women and 7:4 among men in Kenya. Background The primary objective of the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey is to provide up-to- date estimates of demographic,

Taming global warming: Light at the end of the tunnel as Ozone layer recovery on track

A recent report by the UN concluded that the Ozone layer is on track to recovery. This is a plausible milestone that has been made possible by all the sustainability enthusiasts who have been tirelessly spreading the gospel on climate change and the need for

Urgent action needed as acute malnutrition threatens the lives of millions of vulnerable children

12 January 2023/ News release United Nations agencies are calling for urgent action to protect the most vulnerable children in the 15 countries hardest hit by an unprecedented food and nutrition crisis. Conflict, climate shocks, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, and rising costs of living

Accelerated action needed to ensure safe drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene for all

14 December 2022 / News release Urgent action is needed globally and locally to achieve safe and sustainably managed water, sanitation and hygiene for all in order to prevent devastating impacts on the health of millions of people. Findings from WHO and UN-Water’s Global Analysis

9th December 2022 Finger on the Pulse

On Monday, December 5, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi arrived in London ahead of the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit. On Tuesday, December 6,  Senators visited Kenyatta National Hospital as the inquest into the death of baby Travis Maina continued.    CEC members for Nairobi County

WHO Member States agree to develop zero draft of legally binding pandemic accord in early 2023

7 December 2022 / News release / Geneva   Member States of the World Health Organization today agreed to develop the first draft of a legally binding agreement designed to protect the world from future pandemics. This “zero draft” of the pandemic accord, rooted in

WHO calls on the global community to equalize the HIV response

On 1 December, World AIDS Day 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on global leaders and citizens to boldly recognize and address the inequalities that are holding back progress in attaining the global goal to end AIDS by 2030. WHO is joining global

Half of health care facilities globally lack basic hygiene services – WHO, UNICEF

News Release by the World Health Organisation Newly established global estimate on hygiene reveals the risk of disease spread and infections to patients and health care providers Half of health care facilities worldwide lack basic hygiene services with water and soap or alcohol-based hand rub

WHO Director-General congratulates Togo on becoming first country to eliminate four neglected tropical diseases

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, today extended his congratulations to the Republic of Togo, as it was confirmed that the West African country had become the first country to eliminate four devastating neglected tropical diseases. The ceremony took place during the 72nd Session of

Launch of the first WHO position paper on optimizing brain health across life

News Release by World Health Organisation Brain health is an evolving concept, attracting increasing attention not only from the health sector but also from wider society, stimulating rich debate – and for good reasons. The brain and central nervous system are the command centre of

NHIF members enjoy more benefits from improved package

The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has rolled out a set of changes that have taken effect starting July 1.  NHIF has increased hospital refunds by 12 per cent. It will also pay for 549 surgical procedures up from 292. The new benefits take effect

A healthier tomorrow: Reflections of a KEMSA change agent

By Mary Mwadime The world has just celebrated World Health Day, which commemorates the  April 7, 1948 founding of the World Health Organization (WHO). This global organisation has played a vital role in advancing positive health outcomes. On this recent occasion, I spared some time

KEMSA banking on Information Technology systems to guarantee effective national healthcare supply chain system

By: John Kabuchi Information Technology solutions continue to provide limitless opportunities facilitating much-needed efficiency at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) as part of organisational reforms. KEMSA is a strategic State Corporation mandated to undertake roles and responsibilities to ensure supply chain excellence for Health

Health ministry clarifies Breast Milk Substitutes regulations after uproar on alleged ban of feeding bottles

The Ministry of Health has come out to clear the air after media reports indicated that the ministry had banned the use of breastfeeding bottles. The MoH termed the reports as misinformation by the media which led to a public outcry this week. The media

Clean energy for Healthcare

Energy efficient health care facilities hold great potential for creating stronger and more resilient healthcare systems. Such energy is vital to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals especially SDG 3 on good health and wellbeing as well as SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy

Controversial UHC plan gets going

At the National Prayer Breakfast held at Parliament on Thursday, President Uhuru Kenyatta asked MPs to fast track and approve the Bill for the implementation of Universal Health Coverage.  The National Hospital Insurance Fund (Amendment) Bill seeks to make it mandatory for any Kenyan who

In focus: COVID-19 Vaccines

25 Million Doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine The Ministry of Health is expected to start rolling out the administration of 25 million doses of Astrazeneca Vaccine soon. Kenya began its mass vaccination on March 5 after receiving 1.2 Million doses of the Astrazeneca Vaccine. By Thursday

State of Healthcare in Kenya: Of COVID, Striking medics and BBI

On Wednesday, the Employment and Labour Court ordered striking health workers to temporarily resume work. The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) officials however claim that the court order does not apply to the ongoing strike, stating that it is in regards to a strike

After the latest death, reflection

The death of Dr Stephen Mogusu from Covid-19 complications once more exposed massive gaps in the way the Government treats its essential workers.  Red tape could have been blamed for the fact that he had remained unpaid for five months – some civil servants wait

Financing non-communicable diseases in Kenya

Government has increased
the health budget by 10.4%
to Kes. 114 Billion

In need of revival: The evening economy

As we walk the path to economic recovery, we need to work towards resuscitating the evening
economy while keeping safe.

Should children and adolescents have access to reproductive health care services?

Kenya has a National Policy on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) developed in 2003 and reviewed in 2015. It is said that the Policy laid the foundation for development of related policies, strategies and guidelines on ASRH as well as enhanced partnerships between government, private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and civil society organizations (CSOs).

Part 3: Cost of (In)fertility in Kenya- A case for assisted reproductive technologies

Reproductive rights rest on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.

The Reproductive Healthcare Bill, 2019

Kenya’s Senate is considering a reproductive healthcare bill, which seeks to address reproductive health gaps. This is the second time the bill has come before the Senate. It has, once again, drawn fire from religious groups, some politicians and civil society lobbies opposed to its proposals.