Kenya News

Nairobi, March 7, 2017 - The African Health Agenda International Conference, AHAIC, in Nairobi set off to an enthused start with calls for realistic and holistic solutions that are informed by research and evidence, strengthening of health systems, commitment of governments through financing of health and engagement  of youth and other actors to address the disease burden in the continent.

An intergovernmental immunization forum ended in Machakos, Kenya last week with a great promise for collaboration between the national health ministry and counties and with the support from partners.

The two-day meeting brought together about 200 health personnel from all 47 counties, the national office  and partners who included WHO, UNICEF, Clinton Foundation, Maternal and  Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP), Health NGO’s Network  (Hennet), Population Services Kenya, Kenya Aids NGOs Consortium, (KANCO) and others.

Jan 18, 2017 - Kenya has kicked off its 2017 immunization effort with a polio campaign this week, targeting 2.9 million children aged five years and under.

October 2016 - Kenya has rolled out a massive nation-wide Measles-Rubella campaign which targets almost half the population.

October 10 2016, Nairobi – The government of Kenya today joined the rest of the world in commemorating this year’s World Mental Health Day under the theme: “Psychological First Aid: Preserving Dignity in crisis response”, at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. The event was presided over by the Director of Medical Services (DMS), Dr. Jackson Kioko on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Cleopa Mailu. Also in attendance was the WHO Country Representative, Dr Rudolf Eggers.

Nairobi, September 9, 2016 - The Horn of Africa Polio Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting has ended in Nairobi with an urgent call for member countries to ‘get back on track’ if the looming threat of a possible polio virus outbreak in the region is to be averted.

Speaking at the end of the four-day meeting in Nairobi, the TAG Chair Dr Jean-Marc Olive underlined the threat of an impending importation of the virus following the outbreak in Nigeria last July.

In 2013, Kenya’s Ministry of Health was faced with a debate over the alarming rate of women dying in childbirth: was the cause deep-rooted cultural values, or could lives be saved with policy interventions?

Nairobi, June 2016 - Kenya launched the second Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Master Plan 2016 - 2020 on 15 June 2016. Present at the launch were senior government officials, representatives of Non -Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the UN, academia, research institutes, Civil Society,  the media, people affected by NTDs  and several other  stakeholders collaborating with the Kenyan government to combat the NTDs in Kenya. 

On 28 May 2016, the Ministry of Health of Kenya notified WHO of an outbreak of Chikungunya in Mandera East sub-county.

The first reports of an increase in cases with febrile illness and joint pains occurred in May 2016. Samples were collected and shipped to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Arboviral Laboratory in Nairobi. On 16 May, KEMRI laboratory confirmed 7 of the 10 samples tested positive for Chikungunya virus. All samples tested negative for other arboviruses including: dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses.

airobi, May 16, 2016 - Kenya has rolled out a massive nation-wide Measles-Rubella campaign which targets almost half the population. The campaign which runs from May 16-24 will cover all the 47 counties and target 19,922,722 children between 9 months and 14 years. The rubella component will be offered in public health facilities for the first time but will be offered as one vaccine with measles. In addition, 11 targeted counties will offer tetanus vaccination for girls and women aged 15-49. These are counties more at risk and with low immunization coverage.