Kenya

In Kenya, we provide care for refugees, victims of sexual violence and drug users, while responding to public health challenges such as HIV, and in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic

Despite the restrictions imposed on access to healthcare by COVID-19, and strikes by healthcare workers, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) continued to run programmes across the country. In Nairobi, medical services, phone-based counselling for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, and our trauma room and ambulance services were a lifeline for many patients, including women in labour.

In March, we launched our medical programme for people who use drugs in Kiambu. Our one-stop facility provides opioid substitution therapy, treatment for diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis, mental health support and wound care.

17,800

17,8

patients admitted to hospital

9,118

births assisted

3,749

people treated for sexual violence

2,280

2,28

people on second-line ARV treatment in MSF supported facilities

In Homa Bay, our team continues to work on improving HIV care, focusing on patients with advanced HIV, as well as children and adolescents. Reducing the mortality at the county’s apex hospital through better identification, management, and follow-up of patients with critical conditions remains a priority for MSF.

In Embu county, we are working to decentralise and integrate treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, and epilepsy, within 11 existing general health centres. The project involves mentoring Ministry of Health staff in the care and management of NCDs, as well as guaranteeing continuity of treatment for patients.

Our project in Likoni, Mombasa county, offers maternal and neonatal care. We also assist births and offer ante and postnatal services. In Dagahaley camp, which hosts some 70,000 refugees, we run a 100-bed hospital and two health posts.

Our comprehensive services, which are also available to the host community, include sexual and reproductive healthcare, emergency obstetric surgery, medical and psychological assistance to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, psychosocial counselling, home-based insulin treatment, palliative care and specialist referrals.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we ran a 40-bed isolation facility in the camp and trained staff working for Garissa and Wajir district health authorities on infection prevention and control measures, screening and collecting swabs for testing.

No. staff in 2020: 891 (FTE) » Expenditure in 2020: €26.1 million MSF first worked in the country: 1987

Activities Around the World

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease)

Kenya: COVID-19 and lack of protective equipment threaten life-saving medical care for vulnerable people in Mathare

Urgent humanitarian response required to address rising malnutrition cases in Marsabit, Kenya

Kenya: Urgent solutions needed for refugees as camps close

Press Release 6 Dec 2021

Refugees

Return is not a solution, say refugees in Dadaab after camp closure announcement

Closing refugee camps cannot be the end point of Kenya’s solidarity

Patient and Staff Stories 20 Apr 2021

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease)

17,800

17,8

9,118

9,118

3,749

3,749

2,280

2,28

Kenya: COVID-19 and lack of protective equipment threaten life-saving medical care for vulnerable people in Mathare

Urgent humanitarian response required to address rising malnutrition cases in Marsabit, Kenya

Kenya: Urgent solutions needed for refugees as camps close

Return is not a solution, say refugees in Dadaab after camp closure announcement

Closing refugee camps cannot be the end point of Kenya’s solidarity

Maintaining health services for Dadaab refugees while responding to COVID-19