Hellen Shikanda

Nairobi

Creative Writer | Health and Science Journalist at Nation Media Group

Health and Science Reporter at Daily Nation

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Articles

Kenya's vaccine manufacturing dream: 1,000 days of delays and broken promises

1 week ago | nation.africa | Pauline Ongaji |Hellen Shikanda

What you need to know:A mother has spent three weeks desperately searching for a polio vaccine for her 14-week-old baby, with no success. Despite President Ruto's 2021 promise to make Kenya vaccine self-sufficient, not a single locally-manufactured dose has been produced four years later. The country faces severe shortages of basic childhood vaccines while it remains entirely dependent on vaccine imports. Regina Wachera has done everything right as a mother.
Healthcare crisis: The high costs that crush Kenyan families

1 week ago | nation.africa | Hellen Shikanda

Baby Arianna needed just one thing to live: a bone marrow transplant. Her mother had faithfully contributed to Kenya’s health insurance for a decade, first under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), then seamlessly transitioning to the new Social Health Authority (SHA) when it launched with great fanfare 260 days ago. When the bill came due—Sh1.6 million for the life-saving procedure—SHA covered Sh23,600. Baby Arianna died on February 23.
Clinical officers vs doctors: Understanding the differences

4 weeks ago | nation.africa | Hellen Shikanda

A subtle but significant professional battle is brewing in Kenya's healthcare sector over who deserves to use the prestigious "Dr" title. At a recent clinical officers’ conference, media reports suggest that some proposed they should also be entitled to the "Dr" prefix before their official names, a move that has reignited long-standing tensions between different medical cadres.
Scientists come up with new weapon to fight malaria

1 month ago | nation.africa | Hellen Shikanda

If malaria-causing mosquitoes were sportsmen who play boxing, their key rivals –insecticides, could probably win only the first few bouts. In subsequent matches, mosquitoes will have learnt all the tricks that their rivals use to hit a blow that either kills them or causes an injury. They internalise all the tricks such that no matter how hard they are hit, they become immune to pain and are eventually crowned the winners.
Early warning systems: Bridging tech and tradition to protect communities

1 month ago | nation.africa | Hellen Shikanda

A message pops up half an hour past three in the afternoon. It's not one of the usual notifications from local mobile service providers or a bank reminder about a loan you don't need. It's a message from the weather authorities, warning of impending strong winds that could pose a serious danger. The message is from Meteo Rwanda –the country’s meteorological agency, an equivalent to the Kenya Meteorological Department.
Why Kenyan farmers are fighting for seed rights

1 month ago | nation.africa | Hellen Shikanda

It is a few minutes to noon, and the sun is hammering down with immense, crushing heat. A handful of farmers donned in white shirts are standing outside the Machakos Law Courts. The corridors of justice are quiet, but the farmers outside are pregnant with anticipation. They are in huddles, catching up on the latest update about their case, and usual banter. Had the odds of the country’s laws favoured their plight as farmers, they’d probably be at their farms weeding out the overgrown weeds.
Mashirika 20 ya afya kukwama kwa kutotengewa pesa katika bajeti

1 month ago | taifaleo.nation.co.ke | Hellen Shikanda

Habari Mashirika 20 ya afya kukwama kwa kutotengewa pesa katika bajeti Na HELLEN SHIKANDA May 23rd, 2025 Kusoma ni dakika: 2 TAKRIBAN mashirika 20 ya serikali katika sekta ya afya yanatarajia kupoteza karibu Sh1 bilioni katika mwaka wa fedha unaoanza Juni. Kupunguzwa kwa fedha kutafanya kuwe vigumu kwa mashirika haya kulipa wafanyakazi wao na kugharamia mahitaji ya kila siku.
20 health agencies to lose Sh1bn in upcoming financial year's budget

1 month ago | nation.africa | Hellen Shikanda

At least 20 government health agencies will lose nearly Sh1 billion in the financial year that begins in June. These cuts will make it difficult for these agencies to pay their workers and cover basic day-to-day expenses. If the agencies cannot maintain their normal operations, it means health services provided to Kenyans could be significantly affected. The Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) are from the Department of State for Public Health and Professional Standards.
Life expectancy declines by almost two years

1 month ago | nation.africa | Hellen Shikanda

More people around the world are likely to die before their 70th birthday –a new World Health Organization (WHO) report shows, indicating the latest decline in life expectancy since 2012. The World Health Statistics 2025, which has data collated between 2019 up to the end of last year, shows that the Covid-19 pandemic crippled health systems and reduced life expectancy by 1.8 years.
Why your weight, height, blood pressure and temperature are taken before you see a doctor

1 month ago | nation.africa | Hellen Shikanda

Ever wondered why the triage is the first point of contact when you go to a hospital? And why do you think it is necessary that your weight, height, blood pressure and temperature are taken before a doctor sees you? While this is a standard procedure in hospitals, a lot goes on behind the scenes. The different machines used in a triage need proper calibration to give accurate measurements that will guide the doctor on different things, including the treatment regimen to give to you.