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The theme for this year is “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, focusing on efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and prioritizing women’s long term health and wellbeing.
On April 7, 2025, WHO Kenya joined hands with the Ministry of Health, Kajiado County leaders, health partners, and community members to mark World Health Day. The theme for this year is “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, focusing on efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and prioritizing women’s long term health and wellbeing.
The event was led by Kajiado’s Deputy Governor, Hon. Martin Moshisho Martine, who commended the strong partnership with WHO Kenya. In his remarks Deputy Governor, Martine highlighted the significant improvements the county has made in reproductive and maternal health. The county has increased service delivery points from 100 (in 2018) to 134 in 2025, resulting in the increase of immunization coverage for under one years from 78% to 95%. The skilled deliveries in a safe environment improved from 64% in 2018 to 83% in 2024. There was also an increase of enrolment for the Social Health Insurance, all of which have brought service closer to the mothers.
“We are proud of the progress made and ready to do even more,” he said.
Ms. Patricia Wamala, speaking on behalf of WHO Representative Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, reminded everyone that “Investing in maternal and newborn health is not a cost—it’s an investment in a healthier, more prosperous future.” She emphasized that the well-being of mothers and newborns is the foundation of healthy societies. “Let’s close the care gap and ensure every birth is safe and supported.”
Dr. Luigi D’Acquino, Chief of Health for UNICEF Kenya, also underscored his organization’s commitment to the cause: “UNICEF stands with WHO and the Ministry of Health to ensure every child’s right to life is upheld. This year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health aligns with our core mission: protecting children’s rights from the very beginning,” he said.
As part of the event, WHO Kenya donated 50 Mama Kits and 50 Dignity Kits to enhance the facility’s capacity to provide quality maternal and newborn services. Mama Kits contain essential items for mothers and newborns, while Dignity Kits support the hygiene needs of women and girls with items such as sanitary pads, soap, and personal care supplies. WHO Kenya staff also participated in cleaning the maternal and child health unit at the hospital, and interacted with mothers, health care workers and community members to listen and learn from their experiences.
This World Health Day was not only a celebration – but also served as a moment to reflect on progress and reaffirm collective efforts toward building a healthier future for all.
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Lusaka — African health ministers and partners are calling for increased investment in integrated health services to address the growing burden of severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly those affecting women and underserved populations across the region. At a high-level side event during the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, delegates emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation across the continuum of care for NCDs. Disparities are especially pronounced in rural areas, where health infrastructure and services remain inadequate. Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa—particularly cervical cancer, which is both preventable and treatable. It remains the most common cause of cancer death for women in the region. In 2022, Africa accounted for nearly a quarter (23%) of the 76 000 global cervical cancer deaths. Meanwhile, severe NCDs such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and heart conditions claim more than half a million lives annually, including among children, adolescents, and young adults in some of the continent’s poorest communities. Inequitable access to health services continues to hinder efforts to reduce this burden. To improve cervical and breast cancer care in the region, urgent investment is needed in leadership, governance, and financing. Strengthening these foundations is critical in the current funding landscape. Advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and—most importantly—equitable access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are essential. To address these challenges, WHO and its partners showcased successful integrated models such as the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS), the BEAT Breast Cancer Project, and the PEN-Plus Strategy. WICS strengthens early detection, treatment, and integration of women’s cancer services into primary health care systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The BEAT Breast Cancer Project is a transformative multi-year initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality among women in Tanzania and Ghana through early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment access. “PEN-Plus, WICS and the BEAT Breast Cancer Initiative are models for a new standard of care, rooted in equity, access and health justice. I urge countries to prioritize policies that embed these models into broader health system strengthening, said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa”. Côte d’Ivoire offers a compelling example of progress, combining high HPV vaccination coverage—reaching over three million girls (91.4%)—with WICS-supported community-based screening campaigns to strengthen cervical cancer prevention. In Kenya, cervical cancer screening has been successfully integrated into national health services. “This gathering marks a pivotal moment to accelerate action for breast cancer prevention in Africa. We deeply value the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana and Tanzania, and the steadfast support of the Pfizer Foundation in helping us achieve this milestone. The side event builds momentum for the policy prioritization of women’s cancers, partnerships to strengthen the broader women’s cancer ecosystem, and advance a health-systems approach to breast cancer prevention and management”, said Dr Somesh Kumar, Senior Director, Jhpiego. PEN-Plus expands access to care for severe NCDs at the district hospital level. Since its implementation, 20 countries in Africa have increased access to services for severe NCDs. Over 15 000 people are currently receiving treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes through PEN-Plus clinics.
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