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Radio Generation Kenya
Radio Generation Kenya

Health and Wellness

MPs push for ban on paid surrogacy under new Reproductive Bill
Health and Wellness

MPs push for ban on paid surrogacy under new Reproductive Bill

Under the Bill, anyone found engaging in paid surrogacy or trading in human embryos could face a fine of up to Sh10 million or a jail term of up to ten years, or both. The law also bars medical professionals from facilitating such transactions, warning that doctors and embryologists who violate the law will face the same punishment.

Duale: 164 infants, 14 mothers died during Kiambu doctors’ strike
Health and Wellness

Duale: 164 infants, 14 mothers died during Kiambu doctors’ strike

According to the Health CS, attendance in key hospitals, including Thika Level 5 and Kiambu County Referral Hospital, dropped sharply during the industrial action. The number of patients seeking care fell from 80,452 between June and August 2024 to 54,282 in the same period of 2025, leaving more than 26,000 people without medical attention.

World Health Organization Secretary General Tedros Ghebreyesus. PHOTO/Aljazeera
Health and Wellness

WHO issues new guidance to help countries tackle global health financing crisis

The new framework, titled “Responding to the health financing emergency: immediate measures and longer-term shifts,” provides a set of policy options aimed at protecting critical health services, improving efficiency, and promoting sustainable domestic financing for national health systems.

Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (Rupha) Chairperson Brian Lishenga. PHOTO/Handout
Health and Wellness

RUPHA demands action as state owes Sh13.8 billion to defunct NHIF

The association explained that the Health Ministry’s pending liabilities cover several subsidy and maternal health programmes, including Sh2.12 billion for Linda Mama, Sh1.42 billion under the programme for orphans and vulnerable children, Sh289 million for older persons and persons with severe disabilities, and Sh4 billion for indigent households under the universal health coverage roll-out.

Health audit shows 40% of Kenyan facilities still unprepared for safe care
Health and Wellness

Health audit shows 40% of Kenyan facilities still unprepared for safe care

The report shows strong quality improvement structures in higher-tier hospitals, with 92 per cent of Level 5 facilities having quality teams. This dropped to 85 per cent in Level 4 and 63 per cent in Level 3 centres. Urban facilities scored 76 per cent, ahead of rural ones at 62 per cent. Over the past two years, 20,044 health workers have received training on improving care delivery, with Level 5 hospitals contributing 25 per cent of those trained.

President Ruto unveils Sh130 million AI-powered CT scan unit at Nakuru County hospital
Health and Wellness

President Ruto unveils Sh130 million AI-powered CT scan unit at Nakuru County hospital

The new unit, which is equipped with a specialized heart treatment kit, will double the hospital's daily diagnostic capacity from 50 to 100 scans, improving both the speed and accuracy of diagnoses, particularly for critical conditions like cardiac diseases, cancer, and trauma injuries.

The Social Health Authority headquarters in Nairobi. PHOTO/The Standard
Health and Wellness

SHA appoints Pariken Ole Sankei as Director of internal audit

Sankei, a highly experienced auditor with more than 20 years in the field, brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role. His career spans leadership positions in key organizations such as the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), and the Public Service Commission (PSC), giving him a unique perspective on both public and private sector operations. The appointment follows a rigorous recruitment process that began on July 29, 2025, ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection.

Health Ministry takes tough stance on hospitals linked to maternal deaths
Health and Wellness

Health Ministry takes tough stance on hospitals linked to maternal deaths

The report identifies postpartum haemorrhage as the leading cause of maternal deaths, with Tana River, Garissa, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Machakos, Homa Bay, Siaya, Wajir, Kilifi, Murang’a, Makueni, Migori, and Turkana counties having the highest fatalities. Kenya’s maternal mortality ratio remains at 355 per 100,000 live births, while neonatal mortality is 21 per 1,000 live births.

Machakos hospitals on the brink as staff go six months without pay
Health and Wellness

Machakos hospitals on the brink as staff go six months without pay

During a fact-finding mission to Athi River Level 4 and Mwala Level 4 hospitals, members of the Senate Health Committee were met with emotional pleas from health workers who revealed they had not received salaries for nearly six months. Some broke down in tears as they narrated their struggles to survive while still serving patients.

Kiambu doctors’ strike enters 150th day, KMA warns of healthcare collapse
Health and Wellness

Kiambu doctors’ strike enters 150th day, KMA warns of healthcare collapse

KMA highlighted that the strike denies residents their constitutional right to access the highest standard of health, as provided in Article 43(1)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya. The body cautioned that continued disruption could undo gains in maternal and neonatal health, and weaken trust in both county and national health services.

SHA to fence its 23-acre Karen land at Sh50 million amid ownership dispute
Health and Wellness

SHA to fence its 23-acre Karen land at Sh50 million amid ownership dispute

According to the Auditor General, the land has been tied up in a legal battle since 2011, with investigations handled by both the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). Despite the NHIF holding the original title documents, the case remains unresolved.