News

NAIROBI, KENYA: 21st November 2022

Old Mutual Kenya has partnered with Pfizer and Goodlife Pharmacy to offer Pneumococcal vaccination to its insured members.

The vaccination drive targets Old Mutual Health members over 65 years old and those living with chronic conditions. Vaccines are a key tool in reducing the burden of Pneumonia.

Speaking during the official launch of the partnership Old Mutual Health Ag. Managing Director Japheth Ogalloh said, “The global community observed the World Pneumonia Day on 12th November 2022. Pneumonia is a significant public health problem in Kenya and is among the leading causes of death. We are pleased to partner with Pfizer and Goodlife to offer this lifesaving vaccine to our clients. We are also very happy to have Kenya Medical Association here to add the doctor’s voice to this vaccination drive. One of our key learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic is that we should enable all our clients to have access to a wide range of preventive healthcare services.”

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that is commonly caused by viruses or bacteria. It can cause mild to life-threatening illness in people of all ages. It is the single largest infectious cause of death in children worldwide. People at risk for pneumonia also include adults over the age of 65 and people living with chronic diseases.

In her remarks, Pfizer Kenya Country Manager and East Africa Cluster Lead, Anne Dembah stated, “Pfizer is honored to be part of this partnership that is at the forefront of fighting invasive pneumococcal disease. We believe in the power of vaccines as a preventative tool against many diseases and have remained committed to helping reduce the impact of pneumococcal disease by investing in research and development to deliver breakthroughs that change the lives of patients with pneumococcal disease.”

In 2011, Kenya was the 1st African country to introduce the Pneumococcal vaccine into its national childhood vaccination program. The vaccine is given in 3 – 4 doses within the first 18 months of the baby’s life. The Pneumococcal vaccine is now a standard offering in all insurance products, but only for children. For the first time, Old Mutual shall also cover Pneumococcal vaccine for at-risk adults.

In his remarks, Goodlife Pharmacy Africa Chief Executive Officer Amaan Khalfan, stated, “Goodlife Pharmacy Africa is excited about this partnership with Old Mutual as we deliver quality healthcare and wellness to all. With close to 120 pharmacy stores spread across Kenya and Uganda, we are committed to deliver affordable and accessible preventative care which underlines this vaccination exercise."

In her remarks, Kenya Medical Association Chief Executive Officer Dr Brenda Obondo, stated, “The Kenya Medical Association is focused on policy advocacy, development and implementation as a strategic priority. In reference to a statement issued by KMA on a framework for the creation of a National policy on Adolescent and Adult vaccination: We acknowledge that as people grow older, they are faced with waning immunity due to various risk factors. Many of the vaccine preventable diseases in adulthood cause significant morbidity and often mortality. As much as there may be no global approach to adult vaccination, there is need to safeguard those at risk from prevalent illnesses. KMA applauds Old Mutual and Pfizer for this initiative which is a step in the right direction and whose impact cannot be underestimated”.

In addition to the Pneumococcal vaccine, Old Mutual shall also offer Influenza vaccine which protects against Influenza virus, another common viral cause of Pneumonia.

Old Mutual is committed to continue providing additional coverage for preventive healthcare services to empower clients unlocking possibilities.

14th November 2022

This morning the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) paid a courtesy call to The Ministry of Health (MOH) and held fruitful discussions with The CS of Health Susan Wafula, The Ag. DG Health Dr Patrick Amoth, the head of Standards Dr Simon Kibias.
KMA was fully represented by its President Dr Simon Kigondu, Vice President Dr Amos Otara, Secretary General Dr Diana Marion, Assistant Secretary General Dr Elizabeth Gitau, Treasurer General Dr Lyndah Kemunto and KMA CEO Dr Brenda Obondo.
KMA congratulated the CS Health for her appointment and appreciated Her as a role model to the Kenyan girl.
The Kenya Medical Association was able to give a brief history of the association, elaborated on its role in the Kenyan healthcare system, highlighted achievements made over the years, explain the role played in collaboration with the past national and county governments, and articulated the challenges and key asks of the doctors.

The CS highlighted that Kenya has good health policies and that the focus during her enure would be to implement these policies. She also expressed support for quality training through integrating emerging issues in health in the medical training curricula.
KMA and MOH agreed that it takes a collaborative effort to achieve quality healthcare and that the actualisation of Universal Health Coverage is a priority. It was also agreed that there is need for self-regulation within the medical profession and the role KMA plays in KMPDC was acknowledged.

Some of the immediate outcomes of the meeting were:
• KMA was incorporated into the Ebola taskforce and other MOH technical workings groups, and a partnership initiated towards efforts on pandemic preparedness.
• KMA and MOH to work together on addressing matters on human resources for health, climate change’s impact on health and digital development in health.
• MOH will participate in the upcoming KMA Annual Scientific Conference in 17th – 21st May 2023, whose theme focuses on UHC and Climate change
• MOH committed to support KMA in its global engagements such as facilitating participation in World Medical Association activities and World Health Assembly.
• MOH committed to participate in and support KMA as it hosts the WMA Council Session at Ole Sereni Emara, Nairobi on April 20th – 23rd 2023
• MOH committed to support the installation of Dr. Anne Kihara as FIGO president 2023-2025.
• A direct communication line was established direct between KMA and MOH to ensure continuous collaboration.

STATEMENT KENYA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION COURTESY CALL TO MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Yesterday KMA represented by our Assistant Secretary General Dr. Elizabeth Gitau and our CEO Dr. Brenda Obondo joined multiple stakeholders across the health sector in signing The Kenya Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration. The KAPI-led Kenya consensus framework, which is the FIRST OF ITS KIND IN AFRICA will focus on the importance of ethical conduct and integrity to the current and future health care of the Kenyan people and the role of collective action initiatives such as this consensus framework to achieve results.

Dr. Jacinta Wasike. Director Corporate Affairs, Pharmacy and Poisons Board was the keynote speaker at the launch of the Kenya Consensus Framework. She commended the signatory parties for their mutual commitment under the Consensus Framework to recognize each other as equitable parties, resolve conflicts of interest, confront ethical dilemmas, and embrace best international practices worthy of recognition. Dr.Wasike emphasized the importance of the government working together with private and public sectors on this agenda.

Speaking at the event our CEO Dr. Brenda Obondo communicated KMAs commitment to walk the journey on ethical collaboration alongside the other stakeholders. She mentioned that KMA launched their Code of Medical Ethics in 2021 and recently adopted the International Code of Medical ethics in the just concluded World Medical Association general assembly in Berlin as a National Member Association. Dr. Obondo emphasized on the need to speak as one voice as the health ecosystem in matters ethics to strengthen our values as professionals.

Press Release for the Climate Change Conference (COP 27).

Over 250 health journals urge world leaders to deliver climate justice for Africa

Africa has suffered disproportionately although it has done little to cause the crisis.The damage to Africa should be of supreme concern to all nations, warn editors

Over 250 health journals across the world have come together to simultaneously publish an editorial urging world leaders to deliver climate justice for Africa ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) taking place in Cairo, Egypt in November.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE