A year of health headlines that shaped the nation

BY HEALTHY NATION TEAM

The year 2024 was a whirlwind of health milestones, controversies, and groundbreaking advancements that ignited conversations across the nation. From transformative policies to cutting-edge scientific innovations, the health sector took centre stage, highlighting significant progress while exposing persistent challenges in the quest for equitable healthcare.

In this special feature, the Healthy Nation team delves into the year’s most impactful health stories, unpacking their far-reaching implications and the obstacles they uncovered.

Social Health Authority…

The launch of the Social Health Authority (SHA) on October 1, 2024, was expected to revolutionize healthcare in the country. However, its rollout has faced many challenges, leaving Kenyans yet to feel its promised impact. SHA was created to manage the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which aims to move the country away from costly out-of-pocket healthcare payments toward a fairer, unified insurance system.

While the government has praised SHIF as a bold step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reducing healthcare inequalities, the transition has been far from smooth. Healthcare providers have raised concerns about delayed reimbursements, fearing disruptions in service delivery. Meanwhile, many Kenyans are worried about a reduced benefits package, with patients managing chronic illnesses feeling particularly excluded.

The shift from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHIF has also been hampered by logistical issues. Delays in registering members, poor public awareness campaigns, and difficulties in merging the old system with the new one have created confusion. Critics argue that better engagement with stakeholders is crucial to overcoming these hurdles.

For now, Kenyans are in a wait-and-see mode. The SHA's success will depend on its ability to address these challenges and build trust among the public and healthcare providers. Its progress—or setbacks—will likely remain a key health issue for years.

Mpox

Who would have imagined that a president would stand at a rally and discuss something as unexpected as a cow’s fart? Yet in 2024, it happened. But the story is far more significant than just a cow’s fart.

The controversy began with the announcement of a nationwide livestock vaccination program targeting cows, sheep, and goats. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock declared that the initiative would roll out in January 2025. However, scepticism quickly brewed, with many Kenyans questioning the intent behind the program. The government’s silence on critical details only fueled the backlash.

The first public announcement of the program came from President William Ruto on November 8, during the Maa Cultural Festival in Samburu County. A week later, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka criticized the initiative, claiming it was driven by a foreign agenda and warning of potential risks to local breeds.

On December 17, President Ruto hit back at the critics, including Kalonzo, defending the government’s vaccination plans. His remarks triggered a wave of reactions, prompting the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) to weigh in on the matter. KVA endorsed livestock vaccination as a vital move but urged the government to pause the program and prioritize educating the public to address widespread concerns.

The debate took an unexpected turn on social media, where discussions about an anti-methane vaccine spiralled into heated arguments about “cow farts.” The KVA clarified in their statement that while the vaccines were locally produced, methane reduction in livestock was not a priority for Kenya, dispelling rumours that the initiative was tied to global climate agendas.

As of December 22, the vaccination program remains voluntary, leaving farmers free to decide whether to vaccinate their livestock. While the debate has settled for now, it has highlighted the need for transparency, effective communication, and public trust in the rollout of such initiatives. In a year filled with health headlines, even cows managed to spark a national conversation.

Community Health Promoters

The spotlight also turned to community health promoters, unsung heroes on the frontline of healthcare delivery. As the backbone of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiatives, these workers faced monumental tasks of providing primary care and health education in underserved areas. Yet, their stories were marked by calls for better pay, training, and working conditions, sparking national discussions about valuing grassroots healthcare workers.

In September 2023, President William Ruto unveiled 100,000 Community Health Promoters (CHP) kits to achieve Universal Health Coverage. The digitization program dubbed Afya Nyumbani aimed to digitize and financially support CHPs across the 47 counties to bridge the healthcare access gap at the grassroots level.

The distributed kits included 100,000 smartphones to enable the CHPs to access the electronic community health information system.

As of December 2024, the digitized health providers had registered over 8.4 million households against the target of 12.5 million. CHPs have also been able to screen over 22 million persons for diabetes, and 15 million for blood pressure, identified 339,000 women and linked 132,00 to health facilities.

Through the program, over 5.9 million children under the age of five have also been assessed for early childhood illness.

The program, however, has been clouded by a range of challenges hampering efficient service delivery including the delay in the budget allocation and poor network in some parts of the country.

Also, delays in last mile distribution of CHP kits with a likelihood of drug expiry, delayed distribution of commodities at the county level and lack of logistics hinder the implementation of the project.

While the country has 107,831 CHPs, 7,831 have yet to receive their kits since October 2023 hindering service delivery.

Medical Interns’ Woes.

Another headline-grabbing issue in 2024 was the plight of medical interns, who protested against delayed stipends, poor working conditions, and systemic neglect. Their struggle shed light on deep-rooted flaws in training, mentorship, and the overall treatment of the country's future healthcare workforce.

After balloting for their internship positions, approximately 1,200 medical graduates from various institutions eagerly awaited their placements in hospitals by November 2023. Their lab coats were pressed, scrubs embroidered with their new titles—Dr. ready to wear. But their excitement quickly turned into frustration as the government failed to post them, prolonging their wait indefinitely.

By February 2024, the interns were still unposted and began organizing peaceful demonstrations. The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) stepped in, announcing a nationwide strike to begin on March 1. The Health Ministry claimed the interns’ letters were ready but blamed delays on the Treasury for withholding funds. Still, the wait dragged on.

The strike, which lasted 60 days, saw solidarity from doctors nationwide. However, even after a deal was signed on May 8 between the government and the union, the interns’ issue remained unresolved. Many interns turned their idle time into service during the Finance Bill protests, setting up free medical camps to treat injured demonstrators.

On July 17, Health Permanent Secretary Mary Muthoni finally announced that interns would be posted by August 1. Yet, this news came with another blow—a salary review that slashed their pay to approximately Sh70,000, a decision justified by the president in April under the mantra of “living within our means.”

The salary cut and delayed payments further exacerbated the interns’ hardships. Tragically, in the chaos, two medical interns died by suicide, underscoring the severe toll of the prolonged ordeal.

Finally, on December 20, after a relentless push by KMPDU, the government reinstated the interns’ original salary of Sh206,000. While the resolution brought some relief, the year-long struggle highlighted the instability the many strikes have costs to the healthcare system.

Vaccination of Animals.

Who would have imagined that a president would stand at a rally and discuss something as unexpected as a cow’s fart? Yet in 2024, it happened. But the story is far more significant than just a cow’s fart.

The controversy began with the announcement of a nationwide livestock vaccination program targeting cows, sheep, and goats. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock declared that the initiative would roll out in January 2025. However, scepticism quickly brewed, with many Kenyans questioning the intent behind the program. The government’s silence on critical details only fueled the backlash.

The first public announcement of the program came from President William Ruto on November 8, during the Maa Cultural Festival in Samburu County. A week later, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka criticized the initiative, claiming it was driven by a foreign agenda and warning of potential risks to local breeds.

On December 17, President Ruto hit back at the critics, including Kalonzo, defending the government’s vaccination plans. His remarks triggered a wave of reactions, prompting the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) to weigh in on the matter. KVA endorsed livestock vaccination as a vital move but urged the government to pause the program and prioritize educating the public to address widespread concerns.

The debate took an unexpected turn on social media, where discussions about an anti-methane vaccine spiralled into heated arguments about “cow farts.” The KVA clarified in their statement that while the vaccines were locally produced, methane reduction in livestock was not a priority for Kenya, dispelling rumours that the initiative was tied to global climate agendas.

As of December 22, the vaccination program remains voluntary, leaving farmers free to decide whether to vaccinate their livestock. While the debate has settled for now, it has highlighted the need for transparency, effective communication, and public trust in the rollout of such initiatives. In a year filled with health headlines, even cows managed to spark a national conversation.

Polio vaccination and emerges of poliovirus outbreak in the country. 

In September this year, the Ministry of Health announced a mass administration of polio vaccines following the outbreak of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) in the country.

Before the vaccination program, five polio cases had been reported in four children at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana County while another positive environmental surveillance sample was confirmed in Kamukunji Sub-county, Nairobi.

The exercise, which is set to occur in two phases, began on October 2, 2024. It aims to vaccinate children under the age of five in nine high-risk counties: Nairobi, Busia, Bungoma, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado.

The first phase of the exercise started in October second to eighth targeted to immunize 3.9 million children. At the end of the first phase, 3.6 million children between zero to 119 months had received the lifesaving jab. The statistics included 2.9 million children under the age of zero to 59 months including 5,896 who were zero-dose vaccinated.

The Second round of the mass vaccination kicked off from November 9 to 13 with a target to vaccinate 4.2 million children in the selected nine counties. Over 3.0 million children under the target age received their immunizations, the exercise was also able to reach the 1922 zero-dose vaccinated population.

The second phase reached over 3.9 million children under the age of zero to 119 months.

Kenya remains at risk of polio outbreaks due to the fraction of children who fail to get lifesaving vaccines and the infectious disease outbreaks in neighbouring countries.

Previously, Kenya reported polio outbreaks in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2013 while all the outbreaks were from the neighboring countries.

Malaria Vaccine

In the world of innovations, the long-awaited rollout of the malaria vaccine brought hope to millions in malaria-endemic regions marking a significant leap in preventive health measures.

The long-awaited rollout of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine in 2024 has brought renewed hope to millions in malaria-endemic regions, marking a significant leap in preventive health measures. Developed by the Serum Institute of India in collaboration with the University of Oxford, the vaccine is a game-changer in the fight against malaria.

Prequalified by the WHO, the vaccine is now set for mass distribution in Africa, where malaria claims hundreds of thousands of lives annually, the majority being children under five. Clinical trials in Africa demonstrate its efficacy of over 75 per cent, a notable improvement over previous vaccines. Combined with its low production costs, the R21/Matrix-M vaccine is poised for large-scale rollout, making it accessible to low-income regions hardest hit by the disease.

The vaccine's ability to induce a robust immune response against Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, could significantly reduce the disease’s prevalence and severity. This offers a crucial step toward breaking the cycle of poverty and illness that malaria perpetuates in affected communities.

The collaboration between the Serum Institute and the University of Oxford underscores the power of international partnerships in addressing global health crises. With large-scale production already underway, millions of doses are expected to reach vulnerable populations soon.

This breakthrough not only brings the world closer to eradicating malaria but also underscores the critical role of innovation in tackling infectious diseases. Alongside traditional prevention methods like treated nets and antimalarial drugs, the R21/Matrix-M vaccine is a powerful tool in saving lives and improving health outcomes for the most vulnerable.

Weight-loss medications, Ozempic drug.

Global health trends also rippled through the country, with Ozempic, a diabetes drug turned weight-loss sensation, becoming the topic of heated debate. The surge in demand exposed ethical questions around drug repurposing and access disparities for diabetic patients who needed it most.

In 2024, drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro were widely recognised for their effectiveness in promoting significant weight loss and improving overall health. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, these drugs belong to a class of drugs known as Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which mimic hormones that regulate appetite and glucose levels in the body.

Studies have shown that these drugs not only help people lose weight but also reduce the risk of obesity-related conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Clinical trials for Wegovy, for example, have shown weight loss of up to 15-20 per cent in patients, making it a game-changer for people struggling with obesity.

The growing popularity of these medicines has highlighted the need to treat obesity as a medical condition rather than a lifestyle choice. However, challenges remain in terms of accessibility and affordability. These drugs are often expensive, and insurance coverage varies widely between regions. In addition, some patients experience side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea or fatigue, which can limit their use.

The success of these drugs underscores the importance of medical intervention in the fight against obesity, a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. As research continues, there is hope for even more effective and accessible weight loss solutions that can improve health outcomes and quality of life.

Pig-to-man transplant-Bridging the global organ shortage crisis

In March 2024, surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston performed a groundbreaking pig-to-human kidney transplant on 63-year-old Rick Slayman, who had been declared brain dead. This milestone marked a significant step toward solving the global organ shortage crisis.

The transplant involved a genetically modified pig kidney designed to minimize rejection by the human immune system using advanced gene-editing technologies like CRISPR. This allowed scientists to remove or modify genes that typically trigger immune responses.

The kidney functioned effectively in Slayman’s body for over a month, producing urine and supporting vital processes. This success provided invaluable insights into the feasibility of xenotransplantation—the use of animal organs in humans.

The team highlighted the procedure’s potential to address the organ shortage crisis, offering hope to thousands globally, including in Kenya, where demand for kidney transplants far outstrips supply. Long waiting times and preventable deaths could be mitigated by tapping into a sustainable source of organs from genetically modified pigs.

While this breakthrough has excited the medical community, challenges remain. Ensuring the long-term success of such transplants, addressing ethical concerns, and navigating regulatory hurdles are critical next steps.

Despite these challenges, researchers are optimistic about xenotransplantation's potential to revolutionize organ donation and save countless lives, offering a glimmer of hope to those waiting for life-saving transplants.

Kenya resumes GMO crop cultivation.

This year, Kenya reclaimed its position among 10 African nations allowing the cultivation and sale of genetically modified (GMO) crops and foods. This follows a landmark High Court ruling on November 7 that dismissed cases opposing the 2022 decision to lift the GMO ban.

The court affirmed that Kenya possesses robust regulatory mechanisms, led by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), to manage GMOs safely. Despite protests from smallholder farmers, this decision paves the way for the commercialization of genetically modified maize seeds developed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). Both organizations have applied for licensing, pending NBA approval and public participation.

Farmers are already cultivating genetically modified cotton in designated zones. This variety, resistant to the destructive African Bollworm, is expected to rejuvenate Kenya’s struggling textile industry.

In efforts to demystify GMOs, AATF hosted its first inaugural conference with faith leaders, bringing together Christian and Muslim clergy, biotechnology scientists, and experts from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). The dialogue aimed to address misconceptions surrounding GMOs and empower religious leaders to raise awareness about the benefits of this technology.

With GMOs poised to help farmers combat climate change, improve yields, and enhance incomes, Kenya’s embrace of agricultural biotechnology marks a significant step toward sustainable farming practices and economic resilience.

Cancer Vaccines: A breakthrough in personalised treatment

The National Health Service (NHS) is introducing innovative cancer vaccines using messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, a ground-breaking development that offers personalised treatment for cancer patients.

This advance marks a significant milestone in the fight against cancer and offers new hope to people living with the disease, particularly in Kenya, where about 40,000 Kenyans are diagnosed each year.

The vaccines work by using mRNA, the same technology used in the Covid-19 vaccines. mRNA carries instructions for the body's cells to produce specific proteins that stimulate an immune response. In the case of cancer vaccines, the mRNA is tailored to target unique proteins found in an individual's tumour. This personalised approach enables the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells more effectively while sparing healthy tissue.

One of the key advantages of mRNA technology is its flexibility and speed. Unlike traditional cancer treatments, which can take years to develop, mRNA vaccines can be rapidly designed and produced to match the genetic profile of a patient's tumour. This has the potential to revolutionise cancer treatment, giving patients faster access to life-saving therapies.

The introduction of cancer vaccines by the NHS reflects a growing focus on precision medicine, where treatments are tailored to the specific needs of each patient. Early trials have shown promising results, with some patients experiencing significant tumour shrinkage and prolonged survival.

In addition to treating existing cancers, researchers are exploring the potential of mRNA vaccines to prevent cancer recurrence by training the immune system to recognise and eliminate residual cancer cells after surgery or chemotherapy.

While challenges such as cost and accessibility remain, the development of mRNA-based cancer vaccines represents a major step forward in oncology.

AI-powered platform revolutionizes maternal care in rural Kenya

Innovators, healthcare professionals, and advocates have come up with innovations, PROMPTS, an AI-driven platform developed by Jacaranda Health, designed to support maternal care.

PROMPTS operates via SMS, making it accessible even to women using basic feature phones without internet access. Mothers sign up for the free service during routine visits to public health facilities, which cater to 85 per cent of underserved women. Once enrolled, they receive tailored pregnancy-related information, symptom alerts, and reminders.

The platform leverages Natural Language Processing to detect high-risk symptoms and prioritize urgent cases for medical attention. Women can also ask questions and receive timely responses or be referred to medical professionals in emergencies.

Currently reaching over 2 million women across 23 counties, PROMPTS has proven to be a vital tool in regions with high maternal and neonatal mortality rates. By bridging the gap between technology and healthcare, it is transforming maternal care and enhancing outcomes for women in underserved areas.

Angela Oketch, Linet Owoko, Hellen Shikanda, Lilys Njeru, Angeline Ochieng, Pauline Ongaji, Brygette Ngana.