March theStar; From ‘God led me to Kemsa’ to a passerby who won multi-million tenders. These are some of the scheming conspiracies that the tenderpreneurs of the Kemsa scam have treated Kenyans to. With over Sh7.8bn funds misappropriated in the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency, Kenyans have been subjected to the theatrics …
Read More »KENYA: First Covid jab to be administered tomorrow
March 2021 theStar; The first jab of the Covid-19 vaccine will be administered tomorrow, the Health ministry said on Tuesday. Once the vaccines land at the airport, they are transported to central stores in Athi River after which they will be packed for distribution to regional centres in the 47 …
Read More »KENYA: Lobby sues Health CS, seeks data on use of donor cash
March 2021 theStar; A lobby group working to promote health related human rights in the country has taken Cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe to court for failing to provide them with documents on how funds sent by GAVI and other donors have been utilised. Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on …
Read More »KENYA: KU hospital ownership row escalates
February 2021 Business daily ; The ownership tussle over Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) intensified after revelations that university staff and students have been denied access to do practicals at the facility. Documents tabled in Parliament expose underneath battles pitting the hospital board against the Kenyatta University …
Read More »KENYA: Every home to pay NHIF Sh6,000 in new reforms
February 2021 Business daily; Each household will soon make a compulsory Sh500 contribution to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) as the State lines up a health cover for all Kenyans. Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani said each household would part with Sh6,000 annually to be enrolled in a universal …
Read More »KENYA: Women’s doctor with gifted hands
When JACKSON BIKO calls Dr John Odero Ong’ech, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, to set up this interview, there is rhumba dripping in the background. In his office at Nairobi Reproductive Health Services where he is the CEO, he plays it at low volume. Dr Ong’ech is a voluminous character, full of mirth, …
Read More »KENYA: State mulls medicare cover for retired civil servants
February 2021 BusinessDaily; A healthcare insurance cover is to be included in the self-funded pension scheme for civil servants, enhancing comfort for retired officers. Director of Pensions Michael Kagika said the Treasury was working with the department of public service to develop a post-retirement health cover for the 663,000 government …
Read More »KENYA: KU pesticides study a wake-up call for food safety regulators
February 2021 theStandard; The United Nations Population Division estimates that, by the year 2050, there will be 9.7 billion people on earth – around 24 per cent more people than in 2020. Huge population growth will occur in developing countries. To keep pace with population growth, the Food and Agriculture …
Read More »KENYA: 1 in 3 people in Nairobi has been infected with Covid-19, says researchers
January 2021 theStandard; At least one in every three people living in Nairobi has been infected with coronavirus, a new study shows. The survey which analysed antibodies shows seroprevalence (the level of a pathogen in a population as measured in blood serum) for the virus in Nairobi stands at 35 …
Read More »Germany set to limit AstraZeneca jab to under-65s
January 2021 BBC; Germany’s vaccine committee has said AstraZeneca’s Covid jab should only be given to people aged under 65. The committee cited “insufficient data” over its efficacy for older people. The European Medicines Agency is to decide on Friday whether to approve the vaccine for use across the EU. …
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