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Author: Christine Muchira/Release

  • New Ndovu study seeks solutions for HIV patients failing Dolutegravir treatment

    New Ndovu study seeks solutions for HIV patients failing Dolutegravir treatment

    A new multi-country study is generating critical evidence to guide the optimal management of HIV patients who are failing treatment and developing resistance to the drug dolutegravir, offering hope to millions of HIV-positive individuals across Africa and worldwide.

    HIV is treated through antiretroviral drugs that suppress the virus in the body, allowing people living with HIV to live long, healthy lives and prevent transmission.

    Today, most treatment regimens in Africa, including Kenya and around the world contain a drug called dolutegravir (DTG), which is the most important component of that treatment.

    When treatment is taken consistently, the amount of virus in the blood (viral load) drops to very low levels, protecting the immune system and preventing serious infections.

    However, people may experience treatment failure if they do not adhere to treatment, causing the viral load to rise. In some cases, the virus can also develop resistance to treatment, meaning the medicines no longer work effectively.  Failure while on dolutegravir is concerning, as there are limited options available for treatment, putting people at risk of death.

    The Ndovu project is a large multi-country study being carried out in Kenya, Tanzania, Lesotho and Mozambique. The project is enrolling HIV infected individuals who have a high viral load and are on treatment with dolutegravir, indicating possible adherence difficulties or drug resistance.

    Failure to adhere to HIV treatment is one of the major contributors to drug resistance, treatment failure, and risk of advanced disease (AIDS). With many countries using Dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens as first-line HIV treatment, emerging data show that poor adherence to treatment leads to virological failure, often marked by dangerously low CD4 counts and life-threatening opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, cryptococcal meningitis, and other severe infections.

    The Ndovu Study is transforming how treatment failure is understood and managed by following patients closely, supporting them to adhere to treatment, creating an understanding of drug resistance through drug resistance testing, supporting the identification and management of advanced HIV disease and providing crucial data to aid in the development of national and international guidelines on the management of HIV treatment failure.

    Despite major progress in HIV treatment, the global response remains at a critical crossroads. WHO estimates that in 2024, 40.8 million people were living with HIV, 1.3 million acquired HIV, and 630,000 died from HIV-related illnesses. This calls for the urgent need to revolutionise the quality of HIV care, adherence support and timely clinical decision-making.

    From 26–28 January 2026, CEMA hosted Principal Investigators and partners for a three-day Ndovu Investigators’ Meeting in Naivasha, bringing together researchers from Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Lesotho, alongside representatives from Ministries of Health and implementing partners. The meeting reviewed progress achieved over the past year and aligned priorities for the next phase of the study.

    Ndovu teams work closely with Ministries of Health and National HIV Programs in their respective countries to ensure that emerging evidence directly informs policy and clinical practice. While early findings are promising, there is still more to be accomplished with continued collaboration, learning, and rapid translation of evidence into action.

    The Ndovu Study is sponsored by the Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA) at the University of Nairobi, in collaboration with the Kenya Ministry of Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania, Solidar Med in Lesotho, and Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS) in Mozambique, and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

    With data, Ndovu is addressing treatment failure, resistance and adherence head-on, reshaping the future of HIV treatment, strengthening health systems, ensuring no patient is left behind and ultimately, saving lives.

    Dr Loice Ombajo, Chief Investigator of the Ndovu Study, infectious disease specialist, and Co-Director at the Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA), University of Nairobi, said, “It is deeply concerning that some people are experiencing treatment failure due to lack of adherence to therapy and potentially developing resistance to dolutegravir, placing their lives at risk. We urgently need evidence to guide how patients should be managed when they fail treatment and when drug resistance develops. Data from this study will help inform global guidelines on how to care for people living with HIV who do not respond to currently available treatment options.”

    Dr Patricia Munseri, study Principal Investigator in Tanzania and Associate Professor and Head of Infectious Disease Unit in the Department of Internal Medicine at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) said, “While we look forward to initiating the Ndovu clinical trial, we are confident in our ability to recruit and retain participants while being mindful to attain high-quality data that aligns with the study protocols, national and international ethical and regulatory standards and compliance with the aim of generating critical evidence to inform national and regional HIV treatment policies on how best to manage patients who are failing dolutegravir-based treatment.”

    “We are indeed happy and proud to be associated with the Ndovu team, being an African-led project that brings together Researchers from other African countries. We do believe that this is an excellent opportunity for further collaboration within the continent and globally in addressing public health challenges.”

    Dr Irene Ayakaka, study Principal Investigator in Lesotho and Technical Director at SolidarMed, Lesotho, said, “Being part of the Ndovu study in Lesotho is a great privilege. The study is already demonstrating that sustaining the gains in HIV treatment, particularly in Africa, requires early detection of drug resistance and routine monitoring to prevent widespread treatment failure. Key lessons emerging from the study include the importance of strengthening laboratory systems, supporting adherence among people living with HIV, and aligning national policies with evolving evidence. These insights are shaping discussions at the highest levels and will directly inform national HIV treatment guidelines.”

    Dr Nalia Ismael, Principal Investigator in Mozambique, said, “Ndovu study brings real-world cutting-edge data led by Africans researchers.  Although substantial efforts have been made in Mozambique to strengthen HIV treatment care management, there are still gaps, especially with patient retention, adherence, and increasing HIV drug resistance.”

    “We believe that the findings of this study will provide critical insights and guidance to the national HIV treatment program on how to better manage these patients, particularly in a scenario where patients are persistently failing DTG regimens. Our goal in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is to deliver real-time, high-quality data that will improve patient outcomes.”

  • New study shows injectable HIV treatment is safe, preferred, and could save lives in Africa

    New study shows injectable HIV treatment is safe, preferred, and could save lives in Africa

    A new study done in three African countries has found that injectable HIV treatment, Cabotegravir/Rilpivirine (CAB LA + RPV LA), administered every two months, is safe, well-tolerated, and preferred by most HIV patients.

    The Month-12 results from study sites in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa, offers renewed hope for adherence to HIV treatment, reduced HIV related deaths, and enhanced overall quality of life for people living with HIV.

    The IMPALA study, a 24-month randomized controlled trial, was conducted in partnership with the Medical Research Council and the Uganda Virus Research Institute, which served as the coordinating center.

    It was sponsored by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and funded by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

    Despite major strides in treatment, the global HIV response remains at a crossroads.

    WHO estimates that in 2024, 40.8 million people were living with HIV, 1.3 million acquired HIV, and 630,000 died from HIV-related illnesses.

    Currently, HIV treatment involves taking a daily pill that combines three or four medicines that work together to control the virus.

    This combination includes Dolutegravir (DTG), which WHO recommended in 2016 because it has fewer side effects, fewer drug interactions, and a high barrier to resistance.

    While this once-a-day pill revolutionized treatment and remains Kenya’s first-line regimen, daily adherence remains a persistent challenge for many people, particularly among adolescents, young adults, and marginalized populations.

    These challenges lead to increased hospitalizations, higher healthcare costs, and contributed to the 680,000 HIV-related deaths recorded in 2022.

    UNAIDS has set 95-95-95 targets by 2030, where 95% of people who have HIV should be diagnosed, 95% of people who have HIV should be on treatment, and 95% of people who have HIV and are on treatment should be virally suppressed.

    However, at the end of December 2021, just 71% of people living with HIV globally were diagnosed, on treatment, and virally suppressed–far below the target.

    To close this gap, researchers have been exploring simpler, more flexible treatment options, and the long-acting injectable HIV medication has been found to be among the most promising.

    The IMPALA study focused on adults whose viral load had remained unsuppressed for two years despite previous antiretroviral therapy (ART)—suggesting a history of adherence challenges.

    The goal was to assess whether the injectable HIV treatment CAB LA + RPV LA could work for this group in sub-Saharan Africa.According to the findings, the injectable HIV treatment was non-inferior to standard oral regimen–dolutegravir-based therapy (TLD) in African patients who had previously struggled with adherence.

    In other words, the injectables worked at least as well as the daily oral medication, while reducing the daily medication burden.

    Dr. Loice Ombajo, an infectious disease specialist, co-director at the Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA) at the University of Nairobi, and the study’s principal investigator for Kenya emphasized the significance: “Many HIV patients in Africa struggle with taking multiple drugs, stigma, and side effects, which can make it difficult to stay on treatment and may eventually lead to resistance and treatment failure. Injectable therapy offers a promising solution by reducing the burden of daily pills, adherence becomes easier, hence improving quality of life, and helps prevent HIV-related deaths.”

    “These results show that transformation is not only possible it’s within reach. Long-acting injectables offer a real opportunity to accelerate progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets and help people living with HIV lead longer, healthier lives. This year’s World AIDS Day theme ‘overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response’ calls on all of us to stay united and focused on the goal. Studies like IMPALA demonstrate how innovation can re-energize the HIV response, ensuring that no one is left behind,” she concluded.

  • Forty migrants, including children, perish in Tunisia shipwreck

    Forty migrants, including children, perish in Tunisia shipwreck

    A Tunisian boat has capsized shortly after setting off, killing nine women, 19 men and 12 children under the age of five, according to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).

    The UN migration agency Thursday said, the boat which had departed from the Tunisian village of Salakta, has once again exposed the lethal risks of irregular sea crossings on routes to Europe.

    The tragedy came amid concerns that worsening conditions for refugees and asylum-seekers in North Africa are pushing more families to embark on perilous journeys.

    An alert from a nearby fishing vessel led to the rescue of 30 people. Among the survivors were men, women and children from Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea.

    “This is one of the deadliest maritime incidents recorded along the north African coast this year,” IOM said in a statement.

    “It underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent further loss of life along the Central Mediterranean route,” the agency added.

    Rising death toll

    According to IOM’s missing migrants project, nearly 1,000 deaths and disappearances have already been recorded along the main route this year.

    Since 2014, more than 25,000 people have died attempting the crossing from North Africa to Europe, making it the world’s deadliest migration passage. The latest incident brings the total number missing in the wider Mediterranean region to over 32,800.

    Children have been among the most affected. At least 30 have lost their lives off Tunisia’s coast this year alone, compared to 22 in all of 2024, IOM said.

    Forced by conflict, crises

    Tunisia has become an increasingly frequent departure point for people seeking to reach Italy, amid tighter controls and worsening insecurity in neighbouring Libya.

    According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Tunisia hosts over 10,600 registered refugees and asylum-seekers, 86 pc of whom come from countries affected by war or widespread violence.

    Many are survivors of torture or gender-based violence or are unaccompanied children. Access to essential services has become increasingly limited, heightening protection risks and prompting some to attempt the sea journey.

    Ensure safe, regular pathways

    The IOM reiterated its support for “protection-sensitive search and rescue operations” and called for the expansion of “safe and regular migration pathways.” It said countries along key migration routes must strengthen coordination and ensure that humanitarian principles guide their responses.

    Since 2018, interceptions by Tunisian and Libyan coast guards have accounted for nearly half of all recorded search and rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean.

    This shift can be attributed to several factors, including the decreased maritime patrol area of Italian authorities and the shift of EU border management assets from maritime vessels to drones incapable of conducting rescue at sea, warned IOM.

  • KAMP secures license renewal signaling transparency, regulatory balance in music sector

    KAMP secures license renewal signaling transparency, regulatory balance in music sector

    KAMP Copyright and Related Rights Limited has received official confirmation from Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) of renewal of its license to operate as a Collective Management Organization (CMO) for a period of one year, effective 5th November 2025.

    The renewal follows a rigorous evaluation process by the KECOBO Board of Directors and the resolution issued on 14th October 2025 regarding the licensing of CMOs under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.

    In a statement, KAMP welcomed the decision by KECOBO exemplifying the continued trust and recognition of the Association’s role in protecting and promoting the rights of all rights holders in Kenya.

    “This renewal affirms KAMP’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and service excellence in the management and distribution of royalties. There however remain certain areas of concern that KAMP will address with the regulator.” The statement read.

    Speaking after the announcement, KAMP Chairperson, Angela Ndambuki, expressed appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed the Association’s dedication to its members, stating; “We appreciate KECOBO’s continued confidence in KAMP. This license renewal marks not only regulatory compliance but also progress in fostering mutual respect and understanding between the regulator and Kamp. It reflects a positive shift toward a more balanced and collaborative regulatory environment — one that recognizes efficiency and effectiveness”.

    Adding that “KAMP remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance We look forward to continued engagement with KECOBO and all stakeholders to ensure a thriving, fair, and sustainable ecosystem for the music industry in Kenya.”

    Echoing these sentiments, KAMP Chief Executive Officer, CS Maurice Okoth, emphasized the organization’s focus on innovation and service delivery, noting; “KAMP is investing heavily in technology to automate and enhance all aspects of rights management, licensing, and royalty distribution. Our goal is to ensure that every process is efficient, verifiable, and fully transparent. We are also advancing international partnerships and collaborations with other Collective Management Organizations across the world to benchmark best practices, share knowledge, and expand revenue opportunities for our members. This global approach will empower all Rights holders to benefit from a broader and more connected rights ecosystem.”

    He remarked that, KAMP remains fully committed to upholding the principles of fairness and integrity in all its operations.

    The Association noted that the renewal of the license is not only an endorsement of its efforts but also a renewed responsibility to strengthen its systems, expand its partnerships, and continue delivering value to its members and stakeholders.

    KAMP reaffirmed commitment to growth within Kenya’s creative economy, advocating for the welfare of music producers, and ensuring that every contributor to the nation’s vibrant soundscape receives their rightful recognition and reward.

  • Military spending worldwide hits record $2.7 trillion

    Military spending worldwide hits record $2.7 trillion

    Global military spending reached an unprecedented $2.7 trillion in 2024 amid intensifying wars and rising geopolitical tensions worldwide. 

    “The world is spending far more on waging war than in building peace,” the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at a press briefing for his new report on the threat posed by the steady rise in military expenditure.

    Spending on security needs increased across all five global regions during 2024, marking the steepest year-on-year rise for at least the last three decades. Compared to the $2.7 trillion directed to military budgets, the world could eliminate extreme poverty for just under $300 billion.

    “A more secure world begins by investing at least as much in fighting poverty as we do in fighting wars,” said Guterres.

    A choice between aid or arms

    The alarming amount spent on arms-related costs last year alone is 750 times the 2024 UN regular budget. It also equates to almost 13 times the development assistance provided by the OECD’s development assistance committee in 2024, indicating a stark trade-off between military expenditure and sustainable development.

    “Redirecting even a fraction of today’s military spending could close vital gaps – putting children in school, strengthening primary health care, expanding clean energy and resilient infrastructure, and protecting the most vulnerable,” said Guterres.

    For a small portion of what was invested in militaries this past year and the previous decade the world could fund education for every student in low and lower middle-income countries, eliminate child malnutrition globally, fund climate change adaptation in the developing world, and bring the international community closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN estimates.

    “Rebalancing global priorities is not optional – it is an imperative for humanity’s survival,” said the UN disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu at the press briefing.

    ‘Sustainable development is in jeopardy’

    With only one of the five of the SDGs on track, Guterres stressed that “our shared promise of sustainable development is in jeopardy.”

    While more is being spent on militaries, less is being spent for social investment, poverty reduction, education, health, environmental protection and infrastructure hindering progress on nearly all the SDGs and undermining the UN Charter, the UN’s cornerstone document.

    “But we know that development is a driver of security and multilateral development cooperation works,” said UN Development Programme (UNDP) deputy chief Haoliang Xu.

    “When people’s lives improve, when they have access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities and when they can live lives of dignity and self determination, we will have more peaceful societies and a more peaceful world.”

    A new security approach

    “Investing in people is investing in the first line of defense against violence in any society,” said Guterres.

    The report calls for a more human-centered and multidimensional approach that priorities diplomacy, international cooperation, and paves the way for sustainable development.

    In a vicious cycle, lack of economic opportunity, poverty, and underdevelopment breeds instability – fuelling violence and a rise in State expenditure on the military, the UN report contends.

    Investing in development and sustainable security has the potential to stop today’s arms race and alleviate the need for military spending.

    “The evidence is clear: excessive military spending does not guarantee peace,” said Guterres. “It often undermines it – fuelling arms races, deepening mistrust, and diverting resources from the very foundations of stability.”

     

  • UN chief calls for justice and ‘real change’ for people of African descent

    UN chief calls for justice and ‘real change’ for people of African descent

    On the International Day for People of African Descent, celebrated each year on 31 August, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for justice, dignity and equality for people of African descent around the world.

    In a message released ahead of the Day, Guterres honoured the “extraordinary” contributions of people of African descent across every sphere of human endeavour. The Secretary-General also recognised the “long shadows” of slavery and colonialism, which include systemic racism, unequal economies and societies, and the digital divide (between those who are able to benefit from digital technology, and those who don’t have access).

    Guterres hailed the Global Digital Compact – adopted in 2024 as part of the Pact for the Future, which promotes a multilateral system that reflects today’s realities and delivers for everyone, everywhere – as a step forward, citing commitments to tackle discrimination and hate speech in digital technologies. “White supremacy and dehumanising narratives,” wrote the UN chief, “are amplified by social media, and, too often, racial bias is encoded in algorithms.”

    “Eighty years after the United Nations Charter reaffirmed the equal rights and inherent dignity of every human being, and sixty years since the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,” he concluded, “it is long past time to right historic wrongs.”

    UN News/Matthew Wells The Gateway to Freedom: International Memorial to the Underground Railroad in Detroit, Michigan, dedicated in 2001.

    A decade of action

    This year’s International Day is the first to take place during the second International Decade for People of African Descent, which runs from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2034. The decade, which embraces the theme “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice, and Development,” aims to highlight the importance of acknowledging the rights and contributions of people of African descent.

    Guterres has called for the next ten years to drive “real change,” including working towards a United Nations Declaration on the full respect of people of African descent’s human rights.

    The first Decade saw more than 30 countries change their laws and policies to tackle racial discrimination and address specific issues faced by people of African descent – in some cases for the first time. The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, was created, and new International Days were launched to celebrate the contributions of the diaspora, including those of women and girls.

    Building on the progress made between 2015 and 2024, the second Decade seeks to amplify global efforts toward justice and development for individuals of African descent and create a more equitable future, in which the aspirations and rights of people of African descent are fully recognised, honoured, and celebrated.

  • South Sudanese ‘are counting on us’, top UN official tells Security Council

    South Sudanese ‘are counting on us’, top UN official tells Security Council

    The Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Pobee has underscored the rapid deterioration of security and humanitarian conditions in South Sudan, warning the UN Security Council on Monday that recent military offensives have eroded earlier gains in the peace process.

    Referencing the Secretary-General’s latest quarterly report on the world’s youngest nation, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Pobee cautioned that clashes between rival forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar have undermined trust in the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.

    Military offensives, primarily involving South Sudan’s rival militia which answers to the First Vice President and Government troops loyal to the President, have continued, and trust in the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement between the two has been undermined.

    Murithi Mutiga, another briefer from the International Crisis Group, explained that the 2018 agreement required President Salva Kiir to work in concord with his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar; thus, the agreement was effectively terminated when President Kiir placed the former Vice President under house arrest on 26 March.

    Humanitarian crisis

    Pobee highlighted that recent military offensives have resulted in deaths, displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

    Furthermore, the displacement crisis is a two-way street, Murtiga explained: the devastating civil war in neighbouring Sudan has driven 1.2 million refugees into South Sudan, straining already-limited resources.

    The conflict in Sudan has also disrupted oil flows to the military Government-controlled Port Sudan and the broader market, causing South Sudan to lose most of its valuable oil revenues.

    Murtiga also underscored that this is one of South Sudan’s worst humanitarian crises since independence in 2011, with 9.3 million in need of dire assistance and 7.7 million suffering food insecurity, including 83,000 at risk of catastrophic conditions, all while brutal sexual violence is on the rise.

    And funding cuts are leaving millions without lifesaving assistance, Ms. Pobee emphasised. Halfway through 2025, the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 28.5 per cent funded.

    Additionally, challenges to humanitarian access are growing with increased instances of aid workers being attacked, as poor infrastructure and administrative obstacles impede relief efforts.

    Call to act

    The UN, African Union, regional intergovernmental development body, IGAD, and many others in the international community, have repeatedly called for a cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue without any concrete response from the warring parties.

    “While government officials have publicly expressed their commitment to elections by December 2026, the Parties must take steps to return to dialogue and make the necessary decisions to move the country forward. Declarations of commitment are not enough,” Ms. Pobee stressed.

    She urged the Security Council to call on all actors and stakeholders to uphold the peace agreement. If they fail to lay the groundwork for peaceful, credible elections in December 2026, the risk of a relapse into violence will rise significantly amid growing regional instability.

    It is the shared responsibility of the international community to work with the South Sudanese parties to avoid such a failure, she stressed. “The people of South Sudan are counting on us.”

  • WHO urges action on hepatitis, announcing hepatitis D as carcinogenic

    WHO urges action on hepatitis, announcing hepatitis D as carcinogenic

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on governments and partners to urgently accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat and reduce liver cancer deaths.

    According to WHO, Chronic hepatitis B and C silently cause liver damage and cancer despite them being preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable.

    The World commemorated World Hepatitis Day on Monday, under the theme Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down that emphasizes the need to simplify, scale up, and integrate hepatitis services vaccination, safe injection practices, harm reduction and especially testing and treatment into national health systems.

    WHO says that the campaign is a reminder that the world must act now to expand access, integrate care, and end hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030.

    Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General says “Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer. Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis,” said.

    Viral hepatitis types A, B, C, D, and E are major causes of acute liver infection. Among these only hepatitis B, C, and D can lead to chronic infections that significantly increase the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

    Yet most people with hepatitis don’t know they’re infected. Types B, C, and D affect over 300 million people globally and cause more than 1.3 million deaths each year, mainly from liver cirrhosis and cancer.

    Hepatitis D now classified as carcinogenic

    The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans, just like hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis D, which only affects individuals infected with the hepatitis B, is associated with a two- to six-fold higher risk of liver cancer compared to hepatitis B alone. This reclassification marks a critical step in global efforts to raise awareness, improve screening, and expand access to new treatments for hepatitis D.

    “WHO has published guidelines on testing and diagnosis of Hepatitis B and D in 2024, and is actively following the clinical outcomes from innovative treatments for hepatitis D,” said Dr Meg Doherty, incoming Director of Science for Health at WHO.

    Treatment with oral medicine can cure hepatitis C within 2 to 3 months and effectively suppress hepatitis B with life-long therapy. Treatment options for hepatitis D are evolving. However, the full benefit of reducing liver cirrhosis and cancer deaths can only be realized through urgent action to scale up and integrate hepatitis services – including vaccination, testing, harm reduction, and treatment – into national health systems.

    Latest data and progress

    Encouragingly, the majority of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have strategic plans on hepatitis in place and progress in national hepatitis responses is increasing: In 2025, the number of countries reporting national hepatitis action plans increased from 59 to 123.

    As of 2025, 129 countries have adopted policies for hepatitis B testing among pregnant women, up from 106 reported in 2024 while 147 countries have introduced the hepatitis B birth dose vaccination, an increase from 138 in 2022.

    However, critical gaps remain in service coverage and outcomes, as stated in the 2024 Global Hepatitis Report: Testing and treatment coverage remain critically low; only 13% of people with hepatitis B and 36% with hepatitis C had been diagnosed by 2022.

    The treatment rates were even lower 3% for hepatitis B and 20% for hepatitis C well below the 2025 targets of 60% diagnosed and 50% treated and the integration of hepatitis services remains uneven: 80 countries have incorporated hepatitis services into primary health care; 128 into HIV programmes and just 27 have integrated hepatitis C services into harm reduction centres.

    WHO says the next challenge will be to scale up the implementation of prevention, testing and treatment coverage.

    Achieving WHO’s 2030 targets could save 2.8 million lives and prevent 9.8 million new infections. With declining donor support, countries must prioritize domestic investment, integrated services, better data, affordable medicines, and ending stigma.

    Kenya Intensifies Fight Against Hepatitis

    In Kenya the Ministry of Health has stepped up efforts to combat viral hepatitis in the country citing rising infection rates and low public awareness.

    Speaking in Mombasa during the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day, Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, revealed that approximately 3% of Kenyans are living with Hepatitis B and C, with a majority of cases going undiagnosed due to limited awareness, particularly in rural areas.

    Dr. Amoth said the government now provides free treatment for hepatitis B and C emphasing the government’s commitment to eliminating the disease through community sensitisation.

    “The government is covering the cost of treatment, meaning patients with Hepatitis B or C can now access medication free of charge,” said Dr. Amoth, noting that this move is expected to boost early diagnosis and effective disease management.

    He highlighted that hepatitis C remains prevalent among people who inject drugs, with exposure rates in some regions reaching 25%, nearly 60% of which progress to chronic infections.

    Forging new partnerships

    To mark World Hepatitis Day, WHO is partnering with Rotary International and the World Hepatitis Alliance to strengthen global and local advocacy.

    This year’s campaign “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down” demands action to confront the rising toll of liver cancer linked to chronic hepatitis infections. It also calls for decisive steps to dismantle persistent barriers from stigma to funding gaps that continue to slow progress in prevention, testing, and treatment.

    Through a joint webinar and coordinated outreach, the partnership underscores the vital role of civil society and community leadership, alongside governments, in sustaining momentum and accelerating progress toward hepatitis elimination.

     

  • Government steps up drought relief in Baringo County

    Government steps up drought relief in Baringo County

    The government has intensified emergency relief and long-term development efforts to support drought-stricken families in Baringo and other arid and semi-arid region.

    Speaking during a visit to Kolowa and Chemolingot in Tiaty, Baringo County, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku emphasized that emergency interventions are in line with his ministry’s mandate, which includes disaster response, food security, human capital development, and social empowerment.

    The CS who was accompanied by senior government officials to deliver critical relief services to vulnerable families affected by prolonged drought noted that the initiatives are citizen-centered, evidence-based, and aligned with President William Ruto’s long-term vision for equitable development across the country.

    He pointed significant gains made under the Kenya Kwanza administration, including a drop in inflation from 9.8% to 3.8%, a stronger Kenya Shilling now rated as one of the best performing currencies globally, and a reduced Central Bank lending rate from 13% to 9.8%.

    “These are facts you cannot manipulate. Our economy is stabilizing. Investors are coming back, and citizens can now access affordable credit,” he said. Accompanying the CS were local leaders Kamket Kassait (Tiaty), Titus Lotee (Kacheliba), and Sergen Jematia, who echoed his sentiments.

    They credited the Kenya Kwanza administration for restoring security in previously volatile regions, expanding infrastructure, and bringing essential services closer to the people.

    “Today, a Cabinet Secretary can visit Tiaty, a place that was once a no go zone, thanks to improved security under President Ruto’s leadership,” noted one of the leaders.

    The government, through the State Department for Special Programmes, is scaling up emergency response in ASAL counties by distributing food and essential relief items.

    Simultaneously, it is implementing sustainable water and agricultural infrastructure projects aimed at addressing the root causes of food insecurity and water scarcity.

    Among the key development initiatives is the Cheraik Irrigation Project, which has already been operationalized, and the Radat Dam, now under initial construction.

    Additionally, Chemeron Dam is currently undergoing rehabilitation to supply water to over 10,500 households and more than 150,000 livestock.

    Under the stewardship of the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), the government has completed and commissioned 14 additional water projects in Baringo County.

    These include boreholes, small dams, and earth dams that are expected to serve over 5,000 households and support over 110,000 livestock.

    These efforts are part of the government’s broader agenda to promote resilience in ASAL regions through irrigation, food security, and improved livelihoods.

    At the same time, CS Ruku reassured the residents on the plans to open additional Huduma Centres in the region, ensuring easier access to government services such as National Identity registration and public documentation without residents having to travel long distances.

  • Droughts are causing record devastation worldwide, UN-backed report reveals

    Droughts are causing record devastation worldwide, UN-backed report reveals

    Worldwide, some of the most widespread and damaging drought events in recorded history have occurred in recent years due to climate change and resource depletion. 

    This is according to a new report from the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the International Drought Resilience Alliance on the global impacts of droughts from 2023 to 2025.

    “Drought is a silent killer. It creeps in, drains resources, and devastates lives in slow motion. Its scars run deep,” said UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw.

    “This is not a dry spell,” stressed Dr. Mark Svoboda, report co-author and NDMC Director. “This is a slow-moving global catastrophe, the worst I’ve ever seen. This report underscores the need for systematic monitoring of how drought affects lives, livelihoods, and the health of the ecosystems that we all depend on.”

    Record devastation in Africa

    According to the report, as 90 million people face acute hunger across Eastern and Southern Africa, some areas in the region have been experiencing the worst drought ever recorded.

    In Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, maize and wheat crops have suffered repeated failures. In Zimbabwe in particular, the 2024 corn crop was down 70 per cent year on year, maize prices doubled, and 9,000 cattle died of thirst and starvation.

    Some 43,000 people in Somalia died in 2022 alone due to drought-linked hunger. The crisis continued through 2025, with a quarter of the population facing crisis-level food insecurity at the beginning of the year.

    As a result of drought, Zambia is suffering one of the world’s worst energy crises: in April, the Zambezi River plummeted to 20 per cent of its long-term average, and the country’s largest hydroelectric plant, the Kariba Dam, fell to 7 per cent generation capacity, causing electricity blackouts of up to 21 hours a day. This has led to the shuttering of hospitals, bakeries, and factories, further compounding the devastation.

    Worldwide impacts

    But the effects of drought extend beyond Africa. For example, by September 2023 in Spain, two years of drought and record heat caused a 50 per cent drop in the olive crop, doubling olive oil prices nationwide.

    In Türkiye, drought-accelerated groundwater depletion has triggered sinkholes, endangering communities and their infrastructure while reducing aquifer storage capacity.

    In the Amazon Basin, record-low river levels in 2023 and 2024 led to mass deaths of fish and endangered dolphins, disrupted drinking water supplies and created transport challenges for hundreds of thousands. Ongoing deforestation and fires also threaten to shift the Amazon from a carbon sink to a carbon source.

    Declining water levels in the Panama Canal slashed transit by more than one-third, leading to major global trade disruptions. Among the spillover effects were declines in American soybean exports and shortages and rising prices reported in UK grocery stores.

    Call for cooperation and solutions

    The report listed several recommendations to help combat this crisis, including stronger early warning systems, real-time drought and drought impact monitoring, and nature-based solutions such as watershed restoration and indigenous crop use.

    It also called for more resilient infrastructure including off-grid energy and alternative water supply systems and global cooperation, particularly regarding transboundary river basins and trade routes.