Why Stephen Irungu is teaching boys about menstrual health

Menstrual health advocate Steve Irungu is challenging stigma in Nairobi’s informal settlements by educating boys and girls about menstruation.

By Mercy Kahenda 3 days ago

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Cancer survivors inspire hope amid emotional, financial toll

Cancer survivor Derick Omondi shared his battle with recurrent sarcoma, highlighting the emotional, physical and financial toll of the disease as survivors and doctors urged early detection.

By Mercy Kahenda 4 days ago

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Concerns rise over Kenya Ebola response capacity

Preparations at the Laikipia facility are reportedly in high gear, with US medical experts said to have arrived in the country to support its establishment.

By Mercy Kahenda 6 days ago

Citizen-led initiatives restore vital natural ecosystems and livelihoods

A Bungoma environmentalist is leading initiatives to revive indigenous fruit trees.

By Mercy Kahenda 6 days ago

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Equipment for Laikipia Ebola quarantine facility jets in from US

Reports indicate that equipment and experts from the United States have arrived in Laikipia to set up a controversial Ebola quarantine facility, despite a court order halting the project.

By Mercy Kahenda 7 days ago

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We won't listen: Duale says Ebola plan unstoppable as MPs query deal

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has vowed to ignore public opposition and a court order on the establishment of a quarantine facility for Americans exposed the Ebola virus.

By Mercy Kahenda 8 days ago

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Experts raise safety concerns over US Ebola treatment facility

The 50-bed facility, intended to serve Americans exposed to Ebola, is set to be established at Laikipia Airbase.

By Mercy Kahenda 9 days ago

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Lobby groups warn of new nicotine products fuelling child addiction

Public health groups have warned that emerging nicotine products are driving youth addiction and are urging Parliament to strengthen regulations through the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

By Mercy Kahenda 10 days ago

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Duale defends US Ebola facility, says it'll serve Kenyans too

Health CS Aden Duale has defended the proposed US-backed Ebola isolation facility in Laikipia, saying it will serve both Kenyans and Americans.

By Mercy Kahenda 11 days ago

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Ebola by force

Doctors, leaders and residents oppose a planned US-linked Ebola isolation centre in Laikipia amid fears over Kenya’s preparedness and public safety.

By Mercy Kahenda 13 days ago

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Opposition to Trump, Ruto Ebola deal grows

Kenyan leaders and health experts are opposing reported plans for an Ebola treatment facility in Kenya, arguing the government should prioritise protecting citizens from the virus.

By Mercy Kahenda 14 days ago

Busia county government sets up Ebola isolation centre

Busia County Government has set an Ebola isolation centre in Alupe after inspection by a team of experts from the World Health Organisation, Kemri and Ministry of Health.

By Mercy Kahenda 15 days ago

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Kenyans defy Ebola controls as border loopholes raise fear of spillover

Porous Kenya–Uganda borders are raising Ebola spillover fears as WHO warns of a rapidly spreading Bundibugyo outbreak in Uganda and the DRC.

By Mercy Kahenda 16 days ago

More than 220 people have died of suspected Ebola outbreak

More than 220 people have died in a suspected Ebola outbreak, with over 900 suspected cases reported.

By Mercy Kahenda 17 days ago

Kenya among high-risk countries for Ebola spread, warns CDC Africa

Africa CDC has raised alarm over Ebola spread in the region, placing Kenya on a high-risk list.

By Mercy Kahenda 19 days ago

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Beyond theatre: How digital tech is reshaping surgery and saving lives

A decade-long goitre battle ended after successful high-risk surgery with remote digital support. Makueni hospitals use telemedicine to strengthen complex maternal healthcare procedures.

By Mercy Kahenda 20 days ago

WHO warns of rising Ebola threat as Kenya tightens response efforts

Health CS Aden Duale says over 42,000 travellers screened at borders and airports.

By Mercy Kahenda 20 days ago

Kenyan researcher wins Sh446m award for advancing oesophageal cancer diagnosis

A Kenyan researcher has won a Sh446 million award for advancing the early detection of oesophageal cancer, a disease that continues to claim thousands of lives in the country every year.

By Mercy Kahenda 23 days ago

PSVs strike disrupts health care, patients walk to hospitals

Fuel protests and the matatu strike disrupted healthcare services nationwide, leaving patients stranded, delaying treatment and affecting hospital operations.

By Mercy Kahenda 23 days ago

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Fear of more TB cases from drinking dens after two deaths

Tuberculosis screening in Kakamega was delayed after a matatu strike, amid fears chang’aa drinkers may have spread the disease within the community.

By Mercy Kahenda 23 days ago

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Lost childhood: Harsh reality of adolescent pregnancies

Teen mothers in Kenya face stigma, poverty and school dropout as adolescent pregnancies continue rising across the country.

By Mercy Kahenda 27 days ago

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Why the referral system is choking major hospitals as patients suffer

Patients requiring emergency and specialised treatment suffer from unavailable beds, missing equipment, lengthy transfers and out-of-pocket costs.

By Mercy Kahenda 29 days ago

Free maternity care still unclear despite new SHA package

Patients with chronic conditions want the Ministry of Health to make systems work and clarify enhanced services offered under the newly gazetted benefit package.

By Mercy Kahenda 30 days ago

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USAID exit exposes fragility of Africa's donor-funded health systems

For decades, billions of dollars from donors have sustained health systems that African governments have struggled to finance independently.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Doctors condemn politicians filming patients in hospital for selfish gain

The Kenya Medical Association has raised concerns over the rising trend of leaders staging photography sessions, live broadcasts, and media events within healthcare facilities.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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WHO chief moves to calm hantavirus fears

WHO Director-General Tedros has sought to calm global fears over the hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius, insisting the public health risk remains low.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Kenya, African leaders reject free use of pathogen data by developed states

WHO’s pandemic agreement remains stalled in Geneva, as African leaders, drawing hard lessons from the HIV and Covid-19 crises, reject a system that treats their genetic data as a free commodity.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Revealed: Ring buying human blood, stool and urine for export

Shocking revelations have emerged of blood and other medical samples are illegally extracted and exported abroad for scientific use.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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How patients are left to suffer amid persistent blood shortages

Kenya faces a persistent blood shortage that leaves thousands of patients at risk every year, with Nairobi, the country’s busiest health hub collecting only 60 percent of its annual target.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Sulphur concerns: Why it is harmful to humans

Importation of low quality fuel into the country is likely to result in increased hospitalisation and health complications because of high sulphur content, health experts have warned.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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MPs call for overhaul of cancer treatment access and funding

MPs have called for urgent reforms to Kenya’s cancer care system, warning that reduced funding under SHA and late diagnoses are worsening access, costs and patient outcomes.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Floods, conflict disrupt healthcare for chronic disease patients

As conflict, climate disasters, and displacement intensify across Kenya and the African continent, patients living with chronic diseases are increasingly being left unattended.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Climate change deepens health crisis in Africa, experts warn

Experts warn that climate change is worsening Africa’s health crisis, driving rising cases of kidney disease, pregnancy complications and stillbirths.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Africa urged to prioritise domestic health to tackle rising burden of NCDs

African countries are being urged to boost domestic health funding and prioritise prevention to tackle the rising burden of cancer and other non-communicable diseases amid shrinking donor support.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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African states to meet US, discuss details of bilateral health agreement

African states are set to meet with the US to resolve disputes over data sharing and sovereignty that have delayed a bilateral health funding agreement.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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KEMRI pushes for malnutrition screening using new tool, data-driven action

KEMRI is promoting nationwide malnutrition screening using a new MUAC tool and data-driven approaches to improve early detection and guide community-level interventions.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Africa urged to put more weight on health financing amid donor cuts

Health stakeholders warn that over-reliance on external support has left Africa struggling to respond effectively to pandemics and maintain essential health services.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

MPs pledge to push for improved care of patients with bleeding disorder

Parliament has pledged to push for urgent reforms to improve the management of haemophilia in Kenya, following a petition highlighting severe gaps in access to care and treatment. 

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Kenya closing immunisation gaps as global drive reaches millions of children

Kenya is among 12 countries that have benefited from a global push to reach unvaccinated children under five, as the world marks World Immunisation Week. 

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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How Malaria is stealing pregnancies in Siaya

Families in Siaya are losing pregnancies and lives to malaria, exposing gaps in prevention, funding cuts, and delayed antenatal care despite the disease being preventable and treatable.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago