Ebola: Why safe burial protocols matter in containing virus

Kenya Red Cross has emphasised strict, dignified burial protocols, including avoiding direct contact with Ebola victims’ bodies, to prevent transmission.

By Mercy Kahenda 4 days ago

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Ebola alert as Health Ministry 'shuts down' tracking system

Kenya’s Ebola response faces fresh concerns after a disease surveillance system was reportedly disabled, raising questions about contact tracing and transparency.

By Mercy Kahenda 5 days ago

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Calls grow for accountability as Kenya mobilises billions for Ebola response

As scientists and the Ministry of Health race to contain Ebola, concerns are growing over accountability for the resources being mobilised for the response.

By Mercy Kahenda 6 days ago

Health workers demand inclusion in Ebola taskforce, quality PPEs in emergencies

Healthcare workers have demanded representation in the national Ebola response taskforce, and supply of quality protective gears.

By Mercy Kahenda 6 days ago

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Ebola contact nightmare: Why tracing Patient Zero can become national disaster

Health experts are warning that gaps in Ebola contact tracing and border surveillance could allow further infections, urging Kenya to strengthen monitoring and prepare for a wider outbreak.

By Mercy Kahenda 8 days ago

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Ebola is here; stay vigilant, experts urge Kenyans

Health experts are urging Kenyans to stay vigilant, follow public health measures and seek early medical attention while avoiding panic and stigma following the country’s first imported Ebola case.

By Mercy Kahenda 8 days ago

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Stephen Mugo: Kenya might repeat Liberia's mistakes in handling Ebola

For the Clinical Officer, Kenya’s first imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease is a reminder of what can happen when a deadly virus gains a foothold in a community.

By Mercy Kahenda 8 days ago

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Ebola case exposes gaps in Kenya's preparedness

Kenya’s Ebola response faces scrutiny over delayed diagnosis, possible gaps at JKIA and the challenge of tracing everyone who may have come into contact with the first confirmed patient.

By Mercy Kahenda 9 days ago

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Ebola: Where did Kenya drop the ball?

The patient travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before boarding a JamboJet flight to Nairobi.

By Mercy Kahenda 10 days ago

KMPDU calls for arrest and prosecution after Ebola patient 'sneaked' in

KMPDU Deputy Secretary General Dr Dennis Miskellah said the incident poses a serious security and public health risk that should not be condoned.

By Mercy Kahenda 10 days ago

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Duale summons governors ahead of hospital HMIS rollout deadline

The Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority held a crisis meeting with governors to push counties to integrate their hospitals into Health Management Information Systems.

By Mercy Kahenda 11 days ago

No disruption at Nairobi Hospital after Ebola patient's death

The hospital’s CEO, Dr Felix Osano, said that the patient was isolated and quarantined at a Covid-19 facility across the road from the main hospital immediately after presenting with symptoms.

By Mercy Kahenda 11 days ago

KMPDU calls for arrests over 'sneaked' Ebola patient, cites security risk

KMPDU demands investigation, arrest and prosecution of those who allegedly sneaked Ebola patient into Kenya, says it poses serious public health risk.

By Mercy Kahenda 10 days ago

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Ruto's UHC promise: Big reforms, unfinished business

Universal Health Coverage was one of the flagship promises of President William Ruto’s administration, but it has being accompanied by many challenges.

By Mercy Kahenda 12 days ago

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How strikes, staffing threaten Universal Health Coverage push

UHC cannot be achieved through health insurance reforms, equipment and financing alone; it also requires a stable, adequately staffed and properly supported healthcare workforce.

By Mercy Kahenda 12 days ago

EU commits Sh590 million to strengthen Kenya's carbon market

The European Union has committed Sh590 million to help Kenya strengthen its carbon market through improved monitoring, reporting and verification systems.

By Mercy Kahenda 12 days ago

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Four hours to a new life: Inside KNH's high-stakes heart surgeries

A five-day cardiac surgery mission at Kenyatta National Hospital successfully performed 10 complex heart operations, including valve repairs and coronary artery bypass grafting.

By Mercy Kahenda 11 days ago

Laboratories in the country go unchecked as virtual inspections raise safety concerns

It has emerged that more than 10,000 facilities handling patient samples are not being physically inspected.

By Mercy Kahenda 16 days ago

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SHA extends deadlines, as fewer hospitals sign new contracts

SHA extends hospital contracting deadline to October 14 amid low uptake of new HAKIKA contracts.

By Mercy Kahenda 15 days ago

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Pre-eclampsia: pregnancy complication stealing mothers and babies

Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and is among the leading causes of maternal and newborn deaths in Kenya, Africa and globally.

By Mercy Kahenda 16 days ago

Growing old with HIV: Lobby warns of emerging challenges

People living with HIV are calling for the scale-up of interventions to improve the health and well-being of older people living with HIV.

By Mercy Kahenda 18 days ago

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Every minute counts: The fight against Postpartum Haemorrhage

Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) continue to be threat to mothers as the Ministry of Health and stakeholders try to curb.

By Mercy Kahenda 19 days ago

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Heart beats on: 74-year-old survives landmark open-heart surgery at KNH

The 74-year-old man had suffered a heart attack, and tests conducted at KNH showed that three major coronary vessels were diseased and blocked

By Mercy Kahenda 23 days ago

10 hearts, one mission: Global specialists join KNH for heart surgeries

Ten heart patients at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are set to undergo specialised open-heart surgery this week

By Mercy Kahenda 24 days ago

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Push for domestic TB funding, with Kenya facing a shortfall of Sh5 billion

Anti-TB lobby groups are pushing for an increased allocation of domestic resources to eliminate Tuberculosis (TB), while simultaneously demanding the inclusion of TB services in SHA.

By Mercy Kahenda 25 days ago

Kenya's paediatric HIV response takes centre stage at UNGA

Head of NASCOP Andrew Mulwa joined a global panel on paediatric HIV, where he discussed Kenya’s progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission and early infant diagnosis.

By Mercy Kahenda 24 days ago

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After watching her husband die, woman fears ARV shortage could cost her kidneys

Tenofovir Alafenamide Lamivudine (TAF LD), ARVs administered to HIV patients with chronic kidney disease, weak bones and those above 60 years, have been out of stock since April.

By Mercy Kahenda 25 days ago

SHA, hospitals meet over new contract row

The Social Health Authority (SHA) is set to meet with private and faith-based hospitals to reach a consensus on a disputed new contract.

By Mercy Kahenda 26 days ago

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Of new contracts and payment terms; inside SHA-hospitals clash

Contracted hospitals have raised concerns over the contracts drafted by the SHA, particularly provisions on payment of claims, deductions and obligations placed on healthcare providers.

By Mercy Kahenda 29 days ago

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Contraceptive stock out expose Sh2.8 billion family planning gap

Thousands of women are dropping out of family planning after hospitals ran out of contraceptives, exposing a funding crisis that health officials have failed to address.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

SHA extends deadline for hospitals to review proposed contracts

SHA has extended the deadline for healthcare providers to submit views on proposed contracts after private and faith-based hospitals asked for more time to review the documents.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Doctor's cry for babies as nurses' strike persisted

A neonatologist’s emotional account has highlighted the devastating strain on newborn care during the nurses’ strike, with understaffing leaving vulnerable babies at risk.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Doctors haunted by patients they could not save as nurses strike ends

For doctors working through the ongoing nurses' strike, the trauma is no longer only about the patients they struggle to save.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

New Hepatitis B trend unsettles Lamu health experts, researchers

Preliminary findings from an ongoing mass screening exercise in Lamu suggest Hepatitis B may be more prevalent than previously thought, particularly among people who inject drugs.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Doctors' union threatens to join nurses' strike as it enters 43rd day

Doctors have threatened to join the nurses’ 43-day strike and shut down hospitals unless the government resolves the dispute within seven days.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Scientists puzzled as Hepatitis B emerges in Lamu, where Hepatitis C has dominated

Scientists and health officials are investigating an unexpected rise in Hepatitis B among people screened in Lamu, where Hepatitis C has traditionally been the dominant viral hepatitis infection.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Sick newborns, piling bills turn joy into anguish for young mothers

Young mothers and their newborns are being left stranded in hospitals by mounting maternity bills and gaps in SHA coverage, raising concerns over access to maternal and neonatal care.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Drug injection linked to high Hepatitis C burden in Lamu

Lamu County is recording a high burden of Hepatitis C among the older population.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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CBA battle: Why health workers keep striking

Kenya’s healthcare system is once again facing industrial unrest, with health workers taking to the streets over Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

PPB calls for strict safety standards in Kenya's traditional medicine

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has called for stronger quality assurance, safety monitoring and scientific research to ensure traditional medicines are safe, effective and of consistent quality.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago