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Category: HEALTH

  • RUARAKA UHAI NEEMA HOSPITAL, WITH SUPPORT FROM M-TIBA AND PHARMACCESS LAUNCH ‘TUNZA MAMA’ TO HELP MOTHERS ACCESS PREGNANCY CARE

    RUARAKA UHAI NEEMA HOSPITAL, WITH SUPPORT FROM M-TIBA AND PHARMACCESS LAUNCH ‘TUNZA MAMA’ TO HELP MOTHERS ACCESS PREGNANCY CARE

    Maternal care in East Africa remains weak compared to global standards. Out-of-pocket health payments are a major barrier to accessing healthcare, especially for those with lower incomes. Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital in partnership with digital platform M-TIBA and health organization PharmAccess has therefore launched ‘Tunza Mama’: a discounted service that empowers women to access care throughout their pregnancy journey.

    Tunza Mama service encourages women to come for antenatal care early in their pregnancy. It also supports them to visit the facility more frequently, by making services cheaper the more times the
    mother comes for check-ups.

    The service, which runs on the M-TIBA mobile platform, was today launched and pioneered at Ruaraka
    Uhai Neema Hospital in Nairobi. Tunza Mama will be scaled to other health providers in Kenya gradually,
    over the course of this year.

    ‘’Mobile technology has the potential to improve the health outcomes for mothers and their babies’’, says Moses Kuria, Managing Director M-TIBA. ‘’The M-TIBA platform connects facilities and patients and facilitates payments in an efficient manner. In that way, mothers can access the care they need at an affordable cost. Moreover, with Tunza Mama, mothers know upfront what they can expect in terms of costs and services, giving them peace of mind during their pregnancy, as well as after their baby is born’’.
    Tunza Mama covers mothers from the first check-up to delivery and immunization, until the baby reaches two years of age. With the service, PharmAccess and M-TIBA hope to increase the number of expectant mothers accessing pregnancy care at Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital.

    Angela Siteyi, Innovations Director PharmAccess: ‘’Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounts for around 70% of maternal deaths worldwide. We aim to expand Tunza Mama rapidly to empower women to access
    affordable and quality care during their pregnancy, without having to forego care due to costs. By using
    technology, we are able to connect the mother and health professionals for continuous engagement,
    timely interventions, better patient experiences and outcomes’’.

    Through PharmAccess, the health facility has access to decision support tools that empower them to
    monitor, communicate, schedule visits and personalize the pregnancy experience for each individual
    mother.

    Dr George Kiere, ObsGyn at Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital: “To identify any potential risks for mothers
    and babies, early and regular check-ups are essential. We see that mothers miss check-ups because of financial challenges. The Tunza Mama package enables both quality and quantity of care. It lowers the
    overall cost of care and most importantly: it reduces the risks for pregnancy-related complications for
    mothers and babies.”

  • Hon Gitali’s View on Health Financing Proposals

    Hon Gitali’s View on Health Financing Proposals

    Chairman of Tobacco Control and Health Promotion Alliance.

    Health financing is key to attainment of SDGs. We can dwell on rhetoric at the expense of effective action.

    In my view, as the chairman of Tobacco Control and Health Promotion, I emphasize the need for a we’ll managed tobacco control Fund, among other funds. Harmful products should be made to pay for the mitigation of their harmful effects.

    Tobacco and related products should be taxed heavily so as to provide funds that can be used on tobacco control and related activities. Property acquired through illicit trade in tobacco and evasion of tax should be confiscated by the state and put to tobacco control use. Penalties on violation of tobacco control policies can contribute to tobacco control.

    We need to make trading in and consumption of tobacco products and product of addiction very costly. By so doing, the government will reduce disease burden caused by the harmful products, as it increases available funds for financing health.

    Financing of Health should be done in an equitable manner. It’s unfortunate that preventive medicine is not taken seriously. Non-communicable diseases are given little attention despite them contributing 51% of inpatients and about 50% of deaths in our country.

    Resources should be directed towards NCDs and Prentice measures. The government should allocate more resources to the same, but measures should be put in place to have the greater percentage of resources provided by the industries concerned.

  • Irregular extension of contracts Raises Eyebrows


    Concerns have been raised over the National Hospital’s insurance fund move to have underhand tactics in irregular and unlawful extension of contracts.
    The said contracts are said to be pushed by the man in the top office that is the CEO now that his term is soon coming to an end.
    The complainants also cite and question why there’s lack of a transparent, free and fair tendering Process.
    Some of the affected contracts include those of provision of services for civil servants as well as medicals covers for the National Police Service as well as the Kenya Prisons service.
    The affected parties therefore are proposing action to be taken to stop the irregularities as well as have a free fair and transparent tendering process.
    The complainants are requesting for the relevant government agencies to take into account.

  • HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETS AIDS NGOS

     The National Assembly’s Committee on Health has been asked to help harmonise laws to protect the data of People with HIV.

    The request by the Kenya AIDS NGO Consortium was made in a session chaired by Hon. Martin Peters Owino (Ndhiwa).

    Led by its Executive Director, Prof Allan Raggi, the Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium (KANCO) asked for the enactment of proper health data governance policies and regulations.

    KANCO is a premier membership of network of Non-Governmental Organisations, CBOs, FBOs and private sector actors with the mission to improve the health and well-being of communities through capacity building and innovative leadership.

    In the submission, KANCO noted that the health sector has enacted laws and policies that require and recognise data protection when health data is processed. While the identified laws and policies address distinct issues and acknowledge certain data protection principles, they sometimes appear inconsistent with the Data Protection Act. The inconsistency makes it necessary to amend these laws and policies to ensure maximum compliance with the Data Protection Act.

    KANCO said the laws to be amended are: the Health Act, Health sector ICT Standards and guidelines for mHealth systems, standards and guidelines for electronic medical record systems, Kenya National eHealth policy 2016-2030, Kenya’s National eHealth policy 2014-2030, and Kenya’s Health information policy 2014-2030 should be amended.

    “It is true health information is private property of public interest, so there is need for a clear balance between how you use your public property and how it impacts on other people, for example if you are HIV positive it is important that is your own information but is going to affect other people,” said Dr. James Nyikal.

     

    The NGOs said that the Cabinet Secretary for Health, the office of the Data Protection Commissioner and the Medical Practitioners Council should collaborate to develop standardised data protection guidelines for the health sector. The guidelines will provide guidance on the implementation of the Data Protection Principles in the health sector, consent, exercise of data subjects’ rights, responsibilities of healthcare Practitioners in the processing of data, data transfer and data sharing.

    Othe Committee members present were: Hon. Julius Sunkuli (Kilgoris), Hon. Mary Maingi (Mwea), Hon. Prof. Guyo Jaldesa (Moyale), Hon. Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central), Hon. Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache), Hon. Cynthia Muge (Nandi County), Hon. Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri Town), Hon. Martin Wanyonyi (Webuye East) and Hon. Pauline Lenguris (Samburu County).

  • Men Libido Boosted By Njeri Uji

    She waded in unchartered waters. Composed and armed with confidence and strong will, Njeri wa Uji as she is popularly known, started a brilliant idea that many have come to emulate.

    Njeri is the lady with a golden heart who fashioned a methodology to boost men’s sexual health and vitality through the natural way – the diet.

    A visit to her joint at Githurai reveals that this is no exaggeration. Her uji which commonly came to be known as uji power has been attracting customers from far and wide. The uji, according to some men whom we interviewed, has enabled them to satisfactorily fulfil their conjugal duties. One man, who identified himself as Mwangi, said his life has never been the same again since he stated consuming the highly nutritious porridge.

    “The shyful Mr Mwangi said, “I used to be so dull in bed and at times my wife could suspect that I was playing her. But a friend recommended that I take a daily dosage of the Uji power by Njeri wa Uji. After taking it for just a week, the change was evident and I could comfortably satisfy my wife. My prayer is that Njeri continues to succeed because she is the reason my family stood and especially restored my confidence as a man. I’m happy that my wife, just two months ago, delivered a bouncing baby boy.”

    Mr Mwangi is just one of a few men who are all smiles thanks to this uji power by Njeri a Uji. It’s all natural and has no additives or chemicals.

    From The Newscentre.co.ke we wish Njeri wa Uji all the best in her endeavours to make men smile.

  • Nairobi Adventist Hospital acquires multi million equipment to bolster it’s operations

    Nairobi Adventist Hospital acquires multi million equipment to bolster it’s operations

    By Vincent Munga.

    Nairobi Adventist Hospital (NAH) has acquired CT- Scan and C-arm machines as they gear towards giving technology-driven healthcare solutions.

    The modern equipment valued at Sh 40,540,000 will cater for patients who previously have been forced to seek services elsewhere when the equipment were missing in the facility.

    Pastor Dr. Blasious Ruguri, President of the East, Central Africa Division who commissioned the equipment said the move will give patients humble time to seek medical attention from a centralized point.

    The 90 bed capacity registered and licensed as level 4 faith based hospital, offers a range of services including Outpatient and Inpatient care, 24 hours Accident and Emergency, Theatre, Cancer Center, ICU/HDU, and Specialty clinics.

  • KEMRI Holds Its 13th Annual Research and Health Conference

    KEMRI Holds Its 13th Annual Research and Health Conference

    The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) held its 13th KEMRI Annual Research and Health (KASH) Conference from 15th to 17th February 2023.

    The conference, among other things, showcased the research activities that are going-on in the areas of its mandates as well as served as a forum for dissemination, networking, and highlighting ongoing and planned activities at country level.

    The conference attracted an estimated 450 participants within Kenya and beyond.

    Symposium sessions ran parallel to breakaway conference session and usually took place in the afternoon period. The half day sessions were usually allocated a maximum of 3 hours.

    KEMRI has been researching Anopheles stephensi in Kenya. Anopheles stephensi is a malaria vector that thrives in both urban and rural settings. Following its detection in Kenya, there is a likelihood of malaria transmission occurring in urban and peri-urban setups in the country. The new mosquito poses a serious threat and could reverse the gains made in the fight against malaria. Anopheles stephensi, a malaria-causing mosquito, was originally known to occur and spread malaria in South-East Asia, the Middle East, and Arabian Peninsula. The mosquito species has been expanding its Geographic range over the last decade, with detections reported in Dhibouti (2012), Ethiopia and Sudan (2016), Somalia (2019), and Nigeria (2020).

    KEMRI participated in Studies that were carried out across all counties in Kenya, in December 2022, which showed that the new malaria-causing mosquito Anopheles stephensi is present in Laisamis and Saku sub-counties in Marsabit County, Northern Kenya. This was confirmed through Laboratory assays conducted on the identity of the vector.

    The Ministry of Health through the Division of National Malaria Programme (DNMP) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) have carried out routine mosquito surveillance in different counties across Kenya and a sample of Anopheles mosquitoes was analyzed in the KEMRI laboratories to determine the species using the Anopheles stephensi protocol.

    Across the twelve counties surveyed, the new mosquito was found in Marsabit County. The detection was done in four different surveillance sites in Marsabit County, where a total of 55 Anopheles larvae were collected but 11 died during transit. Of the 11 larvae, seven were identified as Anopheles stephensi. Forty-four larvae were reared into adults and then killed in a containment facility at KEMRI, four of which were shipped to the CDC for confirmatory testing. Forty newly emerged adults were tested and nine were identified as Anopheles stephensi.

    Malaria in Kenya and Africa at large is known to occur in rural areas. Rainfall, temperature, and availability of unpolluted mosquito breeding habitats in rural areas favor the breeding of malaria mosquitoes. However, Anopheles stephensi is unique as it thrives in man-made containers and breeding habitats in polluted settings. The establishment of Anopheles stephensi in urban and peri-urban areas may pose a serious threat to malaria transmission in areas that have been Anopheles and malaria free. The disease is transmitted through the infectious bite of the Anopheles female mosquito.

    In Kenya, malaria is spread by two major mosquitoes namely Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus. However, the new Anopheles stephensi is  different from the known malaria mosquitoes, as the mosquito exhibits different behavior from the known malaria mosquitoes in the country. The new mosquito thrives in urban settings, unlike known malaria vectors that are mainly found in rural areas. Anopheles stephensi mainly breeds in containers such as jerry cans, tyres, open tanks, sewers, cisterns, overhead tanks, and underground tanks. The known malaria mosquitoes in Kenya breed in rural areas in habitats such as water pools, rice paddies, streams, surface run-offs, streams, sprints, tyre tracks, and hoof prints. Hence, the new mosquito is invasive and can spread very fast to new areas with or without the known malaria mosquitoes, and this could pose a significant public health threat and as a result, reverse the gains made in the fight against malaria.

    KEMRI continues to conduct routine entomological surveillance to determine the extent of vector distribution and mosquito infectivity rates. We call on the public to continue utilizing the available malaria control tools such as mosquito nets, repellants, and wearing long-sleeved clothing to prevent mosquito bites.

  • Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society Calls for Concerted Efforts To Eradicate FGM

    Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society Calls for Concerted Efforts To Eradicate FGM

    The Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society abbreviated as KOGs has denounced the Female Genital Mutilation which is still rampant in some parts of the country.

    According to statistics, Female Genital Mutilation/ cutting is still at 15% and KOGs President Dr. Kireki observed that the 15% is still a worrying statistic and that the percentage should be brought to zero according to the outlook of the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Speaking in the sidelines of the 47th Annual Scientific Congress, Dr. Kireki was also categorical in calling for medics to join the campaign against the vice after details of medicalization of the FGM emerged.

    Roseline Gollo, is an FGM survivor from Isiolo and she is calling upon everyone to amplify the voice in denouncing the outdated practice.

    “I underwent the most severe form of Female Genital Mutilation which caused me unimaginable trauma and pain. I wouldn’t wish any other girl including my daughter to undergo such a horrific act,” Roseline concluded.

  • Maternal Deaths Still Worrying

    Maternal Deaths Still Worrying

    Maternal mortality is still significantly high with the latest statistics pegging it a 355 for every 100,000 births. To mitigate this, professionals drawn from various sectors in the Obstetrical and gynaecological sector are holed up in a four days conference in Mombasa the main aim being to deliberate on possible avenues to lower the statistics.
    Dr. Kireki Omanwa is the President of Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecologist Society. He said:
    “Maternal mortality rates are still at a worrying figure at 355 per 100,000 births. There are some counties where the Maternal Mortality Rate is a bit higher. We are going to deliberate about this problem and see where the bottlenecks are and advise the government. There’s also an issue of delivery of safe maternity care starting preconception, during pregnancy that is ante natal care and after delivery as well.
    All these are geared towards better care to our patients. Dr. Kireki also termed climate change as a real threat that has not spared the health sector.

    “We can see what we are experiencing now that of late we have had very high temperatures and even His Excellency The President called for a day of prayer for the rains. Climate change is affecting our patients in the sense that wheb it’s dry we don’t have enough food. This will affect our pregnant mothers because they won’t have enough for the unborn.

    The President said we should Plant five Billion trees, we symbolically planted trees here and we wish that Kenyans will take up this initiative.
    On the same breath, Dr. Edward Serem who is the Head, Division of Reproductive and maternal health at the ministry of Health. Representing the Cabinet Secretary, he said:

    “I have to note that we are all gathered here as healthcare providers so that we can share knowledge in matters Reproductive health. We are here to learn from one another. The government is pleased to inform that the government has invested heavily in the healthcare sector especially in the reproductive and maternal health. The latest KDHS report indicates that we are on the right track especially in respect to provision of family planning products to reduce Teenage pregnancies. We are happy to report that the efforts put by Ministry of health have borne fruit now that the percentage stands at 15% and we are pushing to have it on single digit.. also the focus is on maternal mortality which is at 355 for every 100,000 deaths. All these are geared towards improving the quality of health care to all mothers. The Ministry of health this year allocated 1.19 billion Kenya Shillings for provision of family planning products. We are also keen to eradicate in total the female genital Mutilation which currently stands at 15% according to the latest reports.”

  • Dr Catherine Nyongesa Urges Men Not to Fear Prostate Exam

    Dr Catherine Nyongesa Urges Men Not to Fear Prostate Exam

    Many men especially those above the age of forty years are always encouraged to go for a prostate exam in a bid to detect a possibility of a malignant cancerous tumor.
    But most men fear or dread the procedure that sometimes proves a bit intrusive.
    But Dr. Catherine Nyongesa of Texas Cancer Center advises

    “Finger guided prostate exam” the so called digital rectal exam is an old and effective way of screening for prostate cancer. A clinician through this method is able to differentiate a suspicious cancerous prostate from non cancerous prostate…its less invasive and can be done at no extra cost to the patient unlike the imaging of the prostate or PSA and biopsies where a patient has to incur an extra cost.