Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, has commended the Global Fund for its significant impact on Kenya’s fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria over the past 21 years. 

Speaking during a meeting with the Global Fund delegation led by Mr. Linden Morrison, Department Head of Global Fund High Impact Africa 2, and Mr. Paul MacCarrick, Senior Portfolio Manager, Dr. Barasa highlighted the crucial role the Fund has played in supplementing the government’s efforts to combat these diseases while also strengthening the country’s health service delivery. 

Dr. Barasa emphasized that Kenya has made remarkable strides in reducing HIV infections, HIV-related deaths, and mother-to-child transmission rates, thanks to the support from the Global Fund and other development partners. 

“I am pleased to note that with support from the Global Fund and other partners, 1,336,234 Kenyans are currently receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy, and our TB treatment success rate has risen to 86%. Additionally, we have recorded a significant drop in malaria prevalence from 8.2% in 2015 to 6% in 2023,” she stated. 

The CS also praised the Global Fund’s continued backing of Kenya’s efforts toward achieving universal health coverage (UHC), citing the progress made in HIV management and the integration of services for sustainability. Dr. Barasa reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that all Kenyans have access to quality healthcare services. 

Mr. Morrison lauded Kenya’s leadership in public health, highlighting the bold move to roll out UHC as a model for other nations. He confirmed the Global Fund’s ongoing commitment to support Kenya’s UHC efforts, particularly in strengthening primary healthcare and pandemic preparedness, including addressing the MPOX threat and promoting climate and health advocacy. 

Since 2003, Kenya and the Global Fund have maintained a strong partnership, with cumulative investments totaling US$2 billion. These funds have been instrumental in combating AIDS, TB, malaria, and COVID-19 while enhancing the country’s healthcare systems. Kenya has made substantial progress towards the 95-95-95 HIV targets, achieving 94-94-89 by 2023, with nearly 1.4 million people on antiretroviral therapy. 

The country has also seen an 11% reduction in TB incidence between 2018 and 2020, along with improved TB treatment success rates. Additionally, over 7 million people were screened for TB between 2021 and 2023. On the malaria front, Kenya’s prevalence has declined from 8.2% in 2015 to 6% in 2023, with nearly 56 million long-lasting insecticidal nets distributed since 2014. 

Dr. Barasa was joined at the meeting by Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni of Public Health and Professional Standards, Harry Kimtai of Medical Services, Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth, and key leaders of HIV, TB, and Malaria programs. 

This collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Global Fund reaffirms Kenya’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage and addressing critical health challenges facing the country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources has expressed its relief at hearing that TotalEnergies remains a major player in the South African energy sector.

The committee expressed this view after it was briefed by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on the impact of TotalEnergies’ withdrawal from Block 11B/12B, off the country’s southern coastline, and Block 5/6/7 off the West Coast.

Although regretting the cessation on projects with huge potential economic spinoffs to the country, the committee was encouraged that TotalEnergies is still involved in exploration work in South Africa at Block 3B/4B of the orange basin in the West Coast.

The committee is also comforted to hear that Block 11B/12B and Bock 5/6/7 have sufficient resource reserves still open to be explored by other investors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

The Ministry of Health has officially launched Kenya’s first Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Common Mental Disorders, along with a Kenya-adapted version of the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP).

Dr. Bashir Isaak, Head of Family Health, launched the guidelines on behalf of Director General of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth. Dr. Amoth highlighted the significant mental health burden in Kenya, noting that 42% of individuals seeking primary care have severe depression and the national prevalence of common mental disorders stands at about 10.3%. In Nandi County, nearly half the population has experienced a mental disorder.

The DG also addressed the issue of low mental health literacy among primary healthcare workers, which has contributed to many cases going undiagnosed. The new guidelines and mhGAP e-training aim to close a 75% treatment gap by improving the identification, diagnosis, and management of mental disorders at the primary care level. They include comprehensive strategies for diagnosis, treatment, referral, and considerations for various populations.

This launch coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day, themed “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” which emphasizes the need for better early detection and treatment to reduce suicide rates in Kenya.

The development of these guidelines and training programs was supported by PEPFAR, CDC, and Johnson&Johnson. Dr. Isaak called for continued support from both public and private sectors to successfully implement these initiatives and enhance mental health care nationwide.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.