Religious leaders, elders unite to end HIV by 2030

Despite decades of progress, stigma remains deeply entrenched in some communities and religious circles, where HIV is still associated with promiscuity and sin.

By Mercy Kahenda 6 days ago

Kenya rallies men to lead fight against HIV, AIDS

Kenya launches men and boys' campaign for ending new HIV infections and AIDS deaths.

By Mercy Kahenda 7 days ago

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Man on a mission: Top blood donor has saved lives 108 times so far

Court prosecutor Alpha Sanya inspired by the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi.Sanya visits schools, inspiring students to donate blood and nurture compassion early.

By Mercy Kahenda 9 days ago

Health allocation fails to plug US aid gap, dimming UHC ambitions

An allocation of Sh138b to the Health ministry is only a Sh2b increase from the 2024/25 budget.The amount fails to fill the gap left by America's exit.

By Mercy Kahenda 10 days ago

Twists and turns as MoH seeks controversial partnership with BAT

The Standard has established that the Ministry wrote a letter to BAT seeking partnership in a national anti-tobacco campaign targeting transport sector workers.

By Maryann Muganda and Mercy Kahenda 10 days ago

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How knowledge gaps, misinformation limits access to SHA services

While some patients benefit fully, others are left paying hefty bills out of pocket.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Kenya Kwanza's sweet health promise suffers funding pains

President Ruto had assured that every Kenyan would receive care through the Universal Health Coverage initiative.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Every shot counts: How childhood vaccines build shields against preventable diseases

According to UNICEF's State of the World Children Report 2023, globally one in seven children are zero dose.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Shock of 800,000 abortions, married women biggest 'culprits'

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) report, released today estimates that at least 792,694 induced abortions took place in Kenya in 2023.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Health workers sick of mounting unkept promises

Meanwhile, doctors in at least 18 counties are threatening to join the ongoing industrial action this month.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Turkana's malaria burden rises amid funding gap as donor support dwindles

Turkana has been classified as a malaria endemic county in the latest survey by the National Malaria Control Programme.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Informal sector leads in non-remittance of SHA contribution

Despite the Ministry of Health claim of registering 50,000 Kenyans daily to Social Health Authority, actual remittance of deductions remains low among those in informal sector.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Council to crack down on foreign doctors working in Kenya illegally

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has pledged to crack down on illegal practitioners.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Uncertainty as Kenya struggles to fill gaps left by US aid freeze

The US government's freeze on foreign aid, especially through USAid has caused major disruptions in Kenya's health sector, particularly in HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis programmes.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Kenya risks vaccine shortages as MPs join Istanbul call for immunisation funding

The meeting came at a critical time when Kenya's vaccine supply is in limbo following the government's failure to honour a Sh1.6 billion co-financing agreement with Gavi.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

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Revealed: How married women compete with sex workers for condoms

Kenya has 285, 505 female sex workers, according to population size estimated by the Ministry of Health conducted last year, numbers that are underestimated.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

PS Ouma Oluga visits JOOTRH to oversee transition to National Corporation

Dr Oluga's visit focused on assessing service delivery, staffing levels, infrastructure, equipment, and financial liabilities to support a smooth transition to national management.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

TSC, SHA clash over teachers' health cover amid limited access to services

All teachers in the country are eligible for coverage under the SHA, just like other Kenyan workers, contributing 2.75 per cent of their salaries or income, the government has confirmed.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Western Kenya has high malaria burden, report shows

Busia, Siaya, Kakamega, and Migori contributed half (53.2 per cent) of all malaria cases in the country, underscoring the need for intensified interventions in these regions.

By Mercy Kahenda 1 month ago

Mwangangi named SHA boss as Ingasira takes over in Finance

Ingasira had been holding the CEO position in an acting capacity, which has now been filled by Dr Mercy Mwangangi.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Nearly Sh1 trillion is gambled in a year, figure keeps growing

In June 2024, KRA collected Sh24.3 billion from gambling and betting companies - a significant increase from Sh19.2 billion in 2023.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

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Gambling with death: Betting addiction silently driving Kenyans to suicide

The thrill and adrenaline rush that comes with gambling is taking a toll on Kenyans. Betting addicts are living a dog's life.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

New treatment for deadly HIV-linked meningitis enters phase II trial.

There is hope in the fight against cryptococcal meningitis, the second leading cause of death in patients with advanced HIV as scientists work to release new medicine.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Doctors strike looms over medical interns salary

Payment of intern medical doctors is likely to result in a nationwide strike if remuneration is not streamlined as per the 2017 CBA.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Mutula's slip of the tongue rekindles HIV stigma debate

A controversial statement by Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has sparked outrage and re-ignited a national conversation about HIV stigma.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

HIV burden heavier on women despite higher male birth rates with virus

In Kenya, women face higher HIV infection rates than men due to unequal power in sexual relationships, biological vulnerability, and widespread gender-based violence.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

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Kenya stares at vaccine crisis as US measles outbreak claims three

Failure to meet the Sh1.6 billion obligation to Gavi puts Kenya's childhood vaccination programme at risk.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Reading food packaging labels can save you from chronic diseases

Kenya is facing a growing crisis of diet-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity attributed to poor feeding habits.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Fears of surge in HIV infection as patients default on ARV treatment

Some hospitals have reduced refill stock given to patients, for example, some give medicine to last for only 30 days, a drop from the normal three months. following aid cut by the US.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Alarm as risky teen sex drives HIV surge, rise in pregnancies

Advocates call for policy reforms, improved sexual education, and support to delay adolescents' sexual debut.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

How misdiagnosis and donor cuts threaten fight against TB

Kenya ranks among the World Health Organisation's 30 high-burden countries for TB and TB/HIV, with the disease claiming 32,000 lives in 2021 alone.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Nurses in Nairobi to start strike on Monday

Nurses in Nairobi County are set to paralyse healthcare services following a planned strike starting Monday.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Health experts push for campaign to curb diabetes, cancer in young adults

The non-communicable diseases are being diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting into deaths that could have been prevented.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

SHA accused of ignoring employee concerns on salaries, job security

The Ministry of Health and SHA have been accused of failing to communicate job expectations and salary concerns under the new health scheme amid the ongoing transition.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Babies exposed to HIV infection in drugs crisis

Babies born to HIV-positive mothers in Kenya face an increased risk of contracting the virus due to a shortage of critical antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

HIV patients now at the mercy of fate after 41,000 health staff fired

Patients fear stigma and treatment errors from unfamiliar staff after HIV services moved to outpatient units. State urged to form a single coordinating body for country's HIV response.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

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Cartels hell-hole: Who's in charge of powerful cartels at Afya House?

In less than three years since Kenya Kwanza administration assumed office, the ministry has had three Cabinet Secretaries, and five Principal Secretaries.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Mixed reactions emerge over Duale's appointment as Health CS

Fresh changes have once again been reported at the Ministry of Health, with Adan Duale appointed as the Cabinet Secretary.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

Patients on their own as US takes custody of critical heathcare data

The health sector is facing a major crisis after it emerged that the government may not have accurate data for the management of critical diseases.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago

How alcohol, work culture are fueling TB deaths among Kenyan men

Every day in 2023, at least 350 people developed TB, and 70 died from the disease, with most of the deaths being among men.

By Mercy Kahenda 2 months ago