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1 week ago | 
standardmedia.co.ke | Mercy Kahenda
The state department for correctional services launched the registration of offenders with Social Health Authority(SHA)at Langata Women's prison Nairobi as part of the ongoing efforts to enhanc access to quality healthcare for inmates. [Benard Orwongo,StandardAt least 8,000 inmates have been registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme as part of government efforts to provide universal health coverage.
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1 week ago | 
standardmedia.co.ke | Mercy Kahenda
Standing, Kenyan Obudsman Chairman Charles Dulo and CEO Mercy Wambua were talking to patients about SHA at Homa Bay County Referral Hospital on March 11, 2025. (James Omoro, Standard)It has been a long treatment journey for Mercy Nasieku, a 23-year-old from Kajiado, since she was diagnosed with lupus—an autoimmune disease—in 2016. Since her diagnosis, Mercy has made frequent hospital visits due to complications related to the condition.
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1 week ago | 
standardmedia.co.ke | Mercy Kahenda
A Community Health Promoter gives polio drops to a child during a vaccination campaign in West Pokot County. [©UNICEFKenya/2021/LameckOrina]What does it mean to immunise a child, and why is it important? Immunising a child means administering them vaccines to protect them from specific preventable diseases such as polio, measles and smallpox, to enable a child grow up healthy. Vaccines are among the greatest advances in global health and development.
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1 week ago | 
standardmedia.co.ke | Mercy Kahenda
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.
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2 weeks ago | 
standardmedia.co.ke | Mercy Kahenda
Community health promoters at Mwembe Kati village in Chonyi during World Maria Day celebrations, on April 26, 2025. The 720 community health volunteers have undergone training for larvae source management programme, geared to fight malaria. [Marion Kithi, Standard]Turkana has been classified as a malaria endemic county in the latest survey by the National Malaria Control Programme. Previously, malaria in the county was mostly witnessed during the rainy season.
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2 weeks ago | 
standardmedia.co.ke | Mercy Kahenda
Health CS Adan Duale (centre), PS Ouma Oluga (left) and Director of Medical Services Patrick Amoth when they appeared before the Committee on Delegated Legislation Chaired by Samuel Chepkonga at Bunge Towers, Nairobi, on April 22, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] Despite the Ministry of Health claim of registering 50,000 Kenyans daily to Social Health Authority (SHA), actual remittance of deductions remains low among those in informal sector.
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2 weeks ago | 
standardmedia.co.ke | Mercy Kahenda
KMPDC CEO Dr David Kariuki before the National Assembly's Health committee at the Bunge Towers, Nairobi. 15 February, 2024. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has pledged to crack down on illegal practitioners. KMPDC data shows 17,749 locally registered doctors, of whom 11,751 are currently practising. In contrast, 1,663 licensed foreign doctors are registered in Kenya, but only 546 are actively practising.
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3 weeks ago | 
standardmedia.co.ke | Mercy Kahenda
The thrill and adrenaline rush that comes with gambling is taking a toll on Kenyans. Betting addicts are living a dog’s life, and many have turned to mental health institutions for help. Those who cannot fathom the reality of losing not just a bet but their entire life savings are now resorting to suicide. Technology has made it easy for anyone to gamble, and thousands of Kenyans are being drawn into the glittering world of betting via smartphones, betting shops, and modern games like Aviator.
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3 weeks ago | 
standardmedia.co.ke | Mercy Kahenda
In June 2024, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collected Sh24.3 billion from gambling and betting companies — a significant increase from Sh19.2 billion in 2023. “The integration of betting and gaming companies into the tax system has given KRA real-time access to companies in the sector. During FY2023/24, KRA collected Sh24.269 billion in excise duty and withholding tax from 111 on-boarded companies,” reads a section of KRA’s report titled Revenue Performance FY 2023/24.
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4 weeks ago | 
standardmedia.co.ke | Mercy Kahenda
As adolescents enjoy their April school holidays, health stakeholders across Africa are raising alarms over rising rates of teenage pregnancies, new HIV infections and school dropouts, all linked to early unprotected sexual activity. In Kenya, recent data paints a worrying trend, with at least six adolescents aged 10 to 19 acquiring HIV every day, with 691 pregnancies reported.
