Vincent Ouma

African Coalition Drives Evidence-Based Health Action

Leave a Comment / Education /

The Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHREAD) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing evidence-based health policy and scientific collaboration following a recent coordination meeting that brought together civil society, research institutions, and development partners. CHREAD plans to strategically position its work at events, including the World Health Assembly and an upcoming Culture of Science Conference, to advocate for sustainable health financing and stronger research ecosystems. Speaking during the stakeholders’ meeting, Imali Ngusale, the Strategic Lead at the African Centre for Health, Climate and Gender Justice Alliance, said, “We are at the dawn of an interesting setting where the health and well-being of every individual in Kenya warrants attention.” Ngusale also said that the coalition’s renewed push aligns with critical national and global health priorities. Accordingly, Gloria Nduku from WACI Health said that research for health is an ongoing priority for CHREAD. Nduku further noted that enhancing partner coordination remains a priority, and the coalition is well-equipped and mandated to do so. “We are focused on finalising our joint timelines and clearly defining roles to amplify our impact,” added Gloria while advocating for more cohesion in the coalition. The coalition, active for over a decade, reviewed progress under its CASH initiative and identified key engagement platforms like the Kenya Lung Health Conference and the Culture of Science Conference, scheduled for later this year.Evaline Kibuchi from STOP TB said,” For the last 15 years, I have seen some improvement in tackling TB.” Kibuchi further added that she was glad that the CHREAD coalition is committed to ensuring diagnoses are well done.”Mary Muia from NOPE acknowledged the coalition’s priorities as “quintessential,” but noted a long road ahead in ensuring equal access to health services, including diagnostics and curative care. Jane Nganga added that the coalition is operating at a critical time. “Health policies in Kenya and in Africa as a whole warrant a fresh commitment,” she said. CHREAD Coordinator Samuel Makau provided updates on the alliance’s coordination as it outlined a first-quarter focus on strengthening partnerships and advancing joint programmes.

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CHREAD Coalition Sparks New Appetite for Budget Advocacy

Leave a Comment / Finance News /

The Coalition for Health Research and Development’s latest Budget Advocacy Workshop on October 2, 2024, ignited a fresh wave of enthusiasm for understanding and influencing Kenya’s fiscal policies. The meeting was held in Machakos and attracted participants from nternational AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), National Organization of Peer Educators (NOPE), the African Center For Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), Amref Health Africa , Bajeri Huband other organizations. For 3 days the health experts from the coalition discussed the 2024 Budget Policy Statement (BPS), highlighting the government’s revenue projections, spending priorities, and the far-reaching implications for health, infrastructure, and agriculture. Speaking during the meeting, Mary Muia from the ational Organization of Peer Educators (NOPE) made welcome remarks. She said, “Budget advocacy is a game changer for the CHReaD coalition.” Muia also said that advocating for research and development is quintessential because it helps health researchers to have a better view of the  Budget Policy Statements(BPS), government revenue projections, spending priorities, and their potential impact on health systems and infrastructure. Accordingly, Samuel Makau, the Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHREAD) coordinator, emphasized the importance of health experts comprehending Kenya’s budgeting process to effectively advocate for Research and Development.   With the same  breadth, the Advocacy, Policy, and Communications (APC) Associate Catriona Mumuli said,” The workshop is so timely because it will help  Research experts appreciate the advocacy process in Key.” Catriona Mumuli  also emphasized  that the times are changing and it would be critical for Kenya to  increase budgeting for research and development.” Additionally, Maureen Awour from AMREF Health Africa  insisted that” Understanding the budget for research and Development remains essential. The global health and Research lead also emphasized that  Kenya should endeavor to meet the requirements of the Abuja declaration. Despite this renewed optimism on Research and Development, Imali Ngusale, the Technical Lead from the African Center For Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA)  flagged concerns that highlighted potential risks that could impede health milestones if research is not considered as a priority. Ngusale said,” CHREAD’s focus on healthcare advocacy should prioritize budget allocations for the upcoming FY2025/26.” Accordingly, Abraham Otieno from Bajetu Hub said that the budget process in Kenya is a cyclic process and the coalition’s inclusive approach needs to be intentional to shape the budget allocation process. The  CHREAD coalition  continues to fuel her new appetite for budget advocacy. The collective efforts and promises made by various stakeholders to enhance accountability, ensure public participation, and create fiscal policies that truly serve the people will likely catalyze a significant increase in Research and Development (R&D) investments in Kenya.

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UNFPA Mombasa

Leave a Comment / Climate News, Water Conservation /

MOMBASA, Kenya – In the face of unprecedented climate upheaval, Kenya finds herself at a crossroads. The East African nation, long a beacon of stability, is confronting the harsh realities of a rapidly changing environment. Driven by a sense of urgency, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Kenya has taken a bold step and has brought together a diverse group of stakeholders for a critical summit. This meeting of experts, policymakers, and community leaders aims to chart a course for Kenya’s future, navigating the treacherous terrain of climate change. The impact of climate change disrupts development, households, and livelihood, therefore calling for climate adaptation measures need to be included in SRHR. UNFPA champions access to SRHR services and commodities. Climate change has negatively impacted maternal nutrition and access to water by increasing gender inequalities. This workshop has been an opportunity for different sectors to come together and analyze how climate change has disrupted it, and how best they can work together in collective solutions in mitigation and adaptation. It has also been a safe space for discussing the importance of data in developing resilient health in the aspect of climate change impacts on health and gender justice. Humanitarian response agencies need to address the risk information and reporting gap. The experts have underscored the effect that climate change has caused to the lives of people majorly affecting women and girls. This clearly shows the interlink between climate change, health, SRHR, and Gender-Based Violence. UNFPA is very keen on addressing Gender Based Violence more so in humanitarian crises, where women and children are majorly affected, it’s doing what is possible including involving international climate change experts to train youths, government departments, and civil societies to have sufficient knowledge on climate change impacts and possible solutions that can be done. There is an importance in building resilient health in societies, as land degradation, floods, and droughts bring in more malaria cases, and water-borne diseases and disrupt the medicine transportation system, which fails to reach to last mine deliveries. For climate change impacts and SRHR challenges to be addressed, there is an importance in involving youths in the delivery. Youths be treated as partners not just to be spectators of the process.  

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