Category: health

Raw Chicken and Pork sold in supermarkets found to be contaminated – KEMRI Report

Erwin Mutuku

A recent research by Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in collaboration with scientists from the world animal Protection, Centre for Microbiology Research has confirmed that raw chicken and Pork sold in both local and International supermarkets in the country are contaminated with bacteria posing serious health threat to Kenyans. The study revealed a rise in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) pathogens. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe…

Marburg Virus outbreak kills 5 in Tanzania

Elijah Kancholi

Tanzania has clarified that the mysterious disease that killed five people in the northern part of the country bordering Uganda has been identified as Marburg hemorrhagic fever. Marburg is among Ebola family that has killed many in other parts of Africa and the world. “Our public health laboratory have confirmed that the disease that killed five is caused by Marburg,”Ummy Mwalimu, Tanzania’s Health Minister announced. The authorities are still tracing 161 contacts. The health Minister also urged citizens not to panic as everything is under control. He urged people to…

Health Alert! Rabies Outbreak

Elijah Kancholi

Rabies outbreak has been reported in Tachasis village, Kiptagich ward, Kuresoi South Sub-County in Nakuru County. According to Nakuru County agriculture C.EC, Health officers have been dispatched to the area to assess the situation and mitigate spread of the disease. Residents have been warned against eating uninspected meat. The outbreak was reported two days ago by the CEC in charge of agriculture and livestock, Mr. Leonard Bor. So far ten cows have been reported to have died of Rabies. It was also reported that a dog attacked a boy and…

Hundreds of KEMSA employees to be sacked from next month

Erwin Mutuku

In a bid to restructure the Kenya medical Parastatal, all KEMSA employees will be declared redundant from next month. An official notice of redundancy has been circulated to over 900 KEMSA employees, a move that was also supported by parliament. The CEO of the Parastatal Terry Ramadhani announced that the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority BOM had come to conclusion that all employees are redundant. The fired employees are however encouraged to apply for the jobs afresh when vacancies will be announced in the coming months. Mr. Ramadhani also said that…

The land saga that saw VC Wainaina fired from KU

Teresa Chepkemoi

Professor Paul Wainaina the Kenyatta University VC resigned following close to a two-week standoff between him and Ministry of Educations decision to cede a percel of land for use by the government. The piece of land in contention was to benefit World Health Organization, Africa Centre for Disease Control, Kenyatta University Teaching and referral hospital, as well as resettlement of squatters of Kamae Settlement Scheme. The 410 acres of land was to be divided among the four beneficiaries. Profesor Wainaina was against the decision of the government to use the…

Health workers in Zimbabwe strike, demand to be paid in US ($) dollars

Elijah Kancholi

The 131.7% inflation rate in Zimbabwe that has caused the country’s local currency to slamp has also seen health workers down their tools after rejecting a 100% salary increase. Zimbabwean health practitioners instead are demanding that they are paid their salaries in US dollars citing that the country’s currency has been rendered valueless due to the biting inflation that has seen many citizens deplete their savings over the years. They warned that many lives could be lost if the government fails to meet their demands on time. According to Routers,…

Monkeypox, the new deadly disease WHO is worried about

Elijah Kancholi

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the fast spread if Monkeypox which has so far been identified in 12 countries registering a total of 92 cases as of sunday. WHO now intends to role out mitigation plans for other countries where the disease has not been recorded. Information points that human-to-human transmission is already occuring. The disease is very infectious although mild and endemic in parts of west and Central Africa as reported by VOA. “There are vaccines available but the most important message is you can…

The deadly diseases you may get from consuming indomie

Teresa Chepkemoi
Instant noddles

The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has recently warned Kenyans to stop taking indomie following reports that the popular instant nodule has high residue of aflotoxins and pesticide residues. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), had warned its member states to stop the importation of the commodity until investigations is completed on it. “We advice consumers to refrain from either consuming and or purchasing any imported indomie until necessary verification is conducted by the Kenya Bureau of Standards and other relevant agencies” COFEK said. The Egytian Authorities…

World’s largest condom maker explains reason for decline of its use

Erwin Mutuku

Since the outbreak of covid-19, condoms sales have reduced tremendously according to Katex, world’s largest condom manufacturer. The manufacturer reported that the sales of Condoms have reduced by 40%. Goh Miah Kiat, Katex CEO attributes the reductions to the restrictions imposed by various governments on gathering especially in gatherings such as restaurants as “The COVID-19 led to the closure of many secluded places such as restaurants, hotels, and motels, hence a decline in intimacy which reflected on condom sales,” he explained.