A newborn baby. [Courtesy/iStock] Victor Ambula drove his wife to the hospital, excited to welcome their bundle of joy. Their hearts brimmed with happiness and anticipation. But that joy quickly turned to heartbreak — Zipporah died from excessive bleeding (post-partum haemorrhage – PPH) while giving birth. /* Container styling */ .fade-out-overlay { position: absolute; top: -80px; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 60px; z-index: 1; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0), rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)); } .paywall-container { position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; padding: 25px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);…
Author: By Mercy Kahenda
When SHA CEO Dr Mercy Mwangangi officially assumed office after her appointment in April 2025. [Edward Kiplimo,Standard] Otieno Otieno, a resident of Kiambu County, remembers the day vividly—June 15, 2025—when a teacher called to inform him that his 12-year-old daughter had fallen ill at school with acute stomach pains. Without hesitation, Otieno directed her to the nearest hospital. However, instead of receiving care through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), under which he had diligently registered her, he was hit with a Sh1,000 consultation fee followed by another Sh800 for medication. “I thought SHIF would cover my daughter but I ended…
When Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock over the Food and Feed Safety Control Co-ordination Bill,2023, on July 26, 2023. [File, Standard] The Ministry of Health has dismissed claims that it is working with British American Tobacco (BAT) to sensitise the public on the dangers of tobacco use. Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, in a quick rejoinder following public uproar, reiterated the government’s firm stance against tobacco, stating that the crackdown on tobacco use will continue. Muthoni said the allegations were a deliberate attempt to tarnish the Ministry’s efforts to reduce non-communicable…
Abortion laws and legislation on unborn baby as a fetus with a justice judge gavel representing the social issue and concept of rights with 3D illustration elements. [Getty Images] A new report shows that married women account for 80 percent of all reported abortion cases in the country. 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. The primary reasons cited are a lack of desire for additional children, financial pressures, and the pursuit of career goals. In the survey, done in collaboration with the Ministry…
Donor financing towards health has been dwindling affecting service provision in HIV, TB, Malaria and Immunisation programmes. [Courtesy] Kenya’s progress in preventing childhood diseases like measles and rotavirus is at risk as donor support for vaccines phases out. As donor support dwindles ahead of 2029, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has formally reminded the government to fulfill its co-financing obligation, demanding payment of Sh1.6 billion ($12.49 million) for the 2024/25 fiscal year, and due in full by June 2025. The organisation warned that failure to meet this obligation could have serious consequences, including a disruption in vaccine supply, as there is…