Last week, Kenya was witness to a few major health-related events that brought the country’s healthcare system into the limelight once again. From new innovations to policy changes, here are the top 5 major health news stories that you may have missed.
1. Kenya Launches a New TB Vaccine
On Thursday, the Ministry of Health launched a new vaccine to boost immunity against tuberculosis (TB). The new vaccine, known as BCG-Revac, is expected to protect high-risk groups, such as HIV patients and children under five years, against TB. The vaccine has been designed to improve on the traditional BCG vaccine, which has been in use for over a century.
2. Kenya Rolls Out a National Health Insurance Scheme
The government of Kenya launched a new national health insurance scheme aimed at providing affordable health care to all citizens of the country. The scheme, which will be managed by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), will offer a standardized benefit package to all subscribers.
3. Safaricom Introduces M-Tiba Mobile Health Wallet
Safaricom, in partnership with CarePay and PharmAccess, launched the M-Tiba mobile health wallet, an innovative product that will enable users to save and pay for healthcare services using their mobile phones. The M-Tiba wallet will give access to a network of over 12,000 healthcare providers across the country.
4. Kenyan Govt. Launches a Mental Health Taskforce
In response to the growing mental health crisis in the country, the government launched a taskforce to address mental health conditions. The taskforce will work towards addressing the various challenges that impact mental health in Kenya, including the lack of resources, stigma, and limited capacity.
5. Kenya Bans Shisha Smoking
Finally, last week, the government banned the importation, manufacture, marketing, sale, and use of shisha in the country, citing health concerns. The ban comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) listed shisha smoking as a serious health risk, with one session of shisha equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes.
In conclusion, these events highlight the many changes taking place in the Kenyan healthcare system. From new policies to innovative products, these developments show that healthcare in Kenya is evolving for the better. With the government and private sector working together, citizens can expect to see more improvements in the coming years.
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