The African Regional Convening Toward Women Deliver 2026, convened in Nairobi from November 24 to 26, 2025, provided a critical platform for uniting women led organisations and groups dedicated to advancing women’s rights, gender equality, and social justice—alongside youth networks, grassroots movements, civil society leaders, and advocates across Africa in a collective effort to strengthen progress on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equality. Throughout the convening, voices of marginalized groups—including women, persons with disabilities, adolescent girls, young people, and those in rural or crisis-affected areas—were amplified.

LVCT Health played a central role in these conversations, showcasing its leadership in advancing SRHR and mental health for vulnerable populations. On the first day, our team shared insights during a panel discussion on Mental Health in Relation to SRHR for Adolescent Girls and Young Women with Disabilities, highlighting key innovations such as:

• One2One Integrated Digital Platform – providing confidential counseling and SRHR information to young people across Kenya.
• MindSkills Program – leveraging sports to promote mental health awareness and resilience among adolescents and youth.
• Workplace Wellness Services – ensuring holistic health support for workers, reinforcing our commitment to mental well-being.

On the final day, during the dialogue “From Global Power Platforms to Local Realities,” LVCT Health convened a panel of advocates with disabilities who shared their lived experiences and perspectives on SRHR. Jemima Apisi emphasized that for deaf women, access to accurate SRHR information is critical, alongside inclusive policies and active participation of persons with disabilities from family to national levels. As a peer educator, she plays a key role in sharing this information within her community.

Caterina Nyambura, highlighted systemic barriers in accessing reproductive health services, noting that healthcare providers themselves often pose the greatest challenge to people of short stature. She called for deliberate budget allocations to train health workers on disability inclusion, citing tragic cases where lack of knowledge or fear among doctors has led to preventable deaths.

MaryClare, who became blind at nine, spoke about the transformative support from her family and stressed the importance of working with families to ensure persons with disabilities access opportunities. Through creative approaches like dance and acting, she advocates for SRHR and fights stigma in her community.

“LVCT Health’s approach remains inclusive, evidence-driven, and community-centered—ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward health equity.” Stella Gitia- Senior Technical Advisor -Mental Health

Read the full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949856225000996?via%3Dihub

Building Respectful Teacher–Learner Relationships

Teachers explored positive discipline as an effective alternative to punitive punishment, learning to guide learners through empathy, respect, and constructive correction rather than fear. Reflecting on their own experiences, one teacher shared:

“My home science teacher treated us as individuals, she was patient and rewarded us for good performance. It motivated us without fear. That is the kind of teacher I want to be”

Strengthening Knowledge and Practice

The training deepened understanding of school-related violence, child protection policies, and practical approaches to creating safe classrooms. Topics included violence prevention, socio-emotional support, stress management, and partnerships with parents. A teacher at Gachororo reflected:

“We realised that punishment silences children out of fear, but positive discipline makes them understand and change behaviour”

Shifts in Mindset and Learning

Beyond the content delivered, the greatest change observed was in teachers’ attitudes. Many reflected on how their own schooling shaped their beliefs about discipline, and how those traditions need to be challenged. Teachers described moments of self-awareness during the training, recognising that harsh punishment often comes from stress rather than a child’s mistake. One participant noted:

“Sometimes we punish children because of our own frustrations, not because they did wrong. I now see that we must separate our stress from how we guide learners”

The trainings also connected teachers with wider community stakeholders, including Ministry of Health officials, probation officers, children’s officers, and legal advocates. One participant remarked:

“The panel helped us see that safeguarding is not just for teachers alone. We need to work with health workers, parents, and the law to keep children safe”

Teachers committed to modelling empathy, practising stress management, and involving learners in setting classroom rules. As one teacher summarised:

“We are going back to our classrooms ready to guide, not punish. Our learners deserve to grow through respect and understanding, not fear”

The LEARN teacher trainings mark a pivotal step toward safer schools where discipline is built on understanding, not fear. By equipping educators with tools for positive discipline and well-being, LVCT Health and partners are laying the foundation for classrooms that nurture growth, respect, and resilience.

LEARN is implemented by LVCT Health and Evidence and Beyond, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission, with financial support from Together for Girls and Wellspring Philanthropic Fund.

Story by Anne Ngunjiri and Festus Mutua (Reviewer)

The Challenge

In many Kenyan counties, pregnant women first engage with Community Health Promoters before reaching antenatal care (ANC) services at health facilities. But communication gaps between the community and the clinic often mean delays, missed appointments, or duplicated records. With Kenya now aiming for eight ANC contacts during pregnancy, these gaps risk leaving women behind.

The Innovation

Through the C-it DU-it programme, we developed a unique electronic linkage module that connects two government systems:

• eCHIS (electronic community health information system), and
• KenyaEMR (facility-based electronic medical record).

For the first time, referrals can move smoothly and electronically between the community and facility, allowing referrals and follow-ups to be tracked and monitored in real time when systems are online. This innovation is critical because until now, the two systems worked in isolation, leading to duplication, gaps in care, and poor data use. The linkage brings:

• Continuity of care – women can be followed from household to facility.
• Better decision-making – complete, accurate data at all levels.
• Efficiency – reduced duplication and errors.
• Trust and accountability – stronger links between communities and health facilities.

To complement this, we also adapted the widely used Mother–Child Booklet, creating the Community-Enhanced Mother-Child Booklet. Rather than altering its existing content, we simply added a dedicated section for Community Health Promoters to record household visits. This means that facility staff can view a woman’s full history at a glance. Both facility teams and community units report that this small adaptation has transformed coordination, improved trust, and saved time.

The Impact

The adapted Mother-Child Booklet has quickly become more than just a record: it is seen as a silent supervisor, an accountability tool, and even a source of motivation for Community Health Promoters (CHPs). Nurses value being able to see at a glance who the CHP has already visited, while CHPs appreciate that their work is visible and recognized.

One CHP explained, “I ask the woman, ‘who is your CHP?’ then I text them. It helps us follow up.”

The Community Referral Form (CRF) section has become a practical way of communicating between the community and the clinic. It reduces duplication, ensures timely follow-up, and strengthens collaboration: “The CRF helps you to do the follow up … it is another way of supervision and appreciation.”

While a few challenges remain, such as women living with HIV not always wishing to share their booklet, the overall feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Health workers describe it as simple to use, not burdensome, and a tool that should continue even after the C-it DU-it project ends: “When C-it DU-it leaves, the CRF must remain … it should be adopted nationally!”

Through training and joint support, the CRF has given both CHPs and facility staff a stronger sense of connection, coordination, and purpose. As one CHP put it: “It is a motisha (motivation).”

The Way Forward

The strong endorsement from both CHPs and facility staff who repeatedly stressed that the CRF “must remain” and “should be adopted nationally” has caught the attention of county health managers. Building on this momentum, there is growing consensus that the adaptation should be scaled beyond the pilot counties.

At the same time, the electronic linkage is opening doors for a new era of seamless data use between communities and clinics, not only for ANC but also for wider maternal, newborn, and child health services.

By “seeing it” (C-it) and “doing it” (DU-it), we are making data work for mothers, babies, and health teams alike.

Mental health is fast emerging as one of the most pressing challenges facing children and adolescents. Despite its significance, mental health remains underfunded and often overlooked in public health and development agenda.

In Kenya, over two-fifths of adolescents (44.3%) are affected by mental health conditions with suicide ranking as the second leading cause of death among this demographic. This alarming reality underscores the urgent need for action.

It is against this backdrop that LVCT Health convened the 2nd Child and Adolescent Mental Health Summit (CAMH 2025) in Mombasa on September 11-12th 2025, bringing together young people, government representatives, policymakers, mental healtn experts, and civil society organizations to critically examine the state of adolescent mental health in Kenya and across the continent.

Under the theme, “Investing in Young Minds: Inclusive, Accessible, and Youth-Led Solutions,” and supported by  Grassroot Soccer and  SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya, the summit saw over 500 participants take part physically and virtually, marking a decisive step towards placing mental health at the heart of Kenya’s development agenda.

Why mental health among adolescent and young people?

Poor mental health among children and adolescents has a significant impact on many aspects of their lives which hinder them enjoying their full life trajectories. With no clear and dedicated Child and Adolescent Mental Health Policy in Kenya, millions of young people are today living withou a comprehensive framework necessary for prevention, early intervention, and access to quality mental health care.

Besides stigma and discrimantion, mental health challenges also put them at increased risk of drug abuse, sexual behaviors that can lead to HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and unitended pregrancy which in turn affects their school perfomance, decision making and overall health.

Prioritising mental health among the youth

The two-day event commenced with reflections on the inaugural 2024 Nairobi summit, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to address the rising cases of mental health issues among young people.

Building on previous successes, this year’s summit combined with the alarming mental health realities, focused on deepening discussions, accelerating the implementation of innovative models such as MindSKILLZ, and fostering new partnerships to scale impactful interventions. It also underscored the urgent need for action in developing and strengthen evidence-based programmes to address the mental health needs of young people.

Speaking during the official opening of the two-day event, Dr.Lilian Otiso, Executive Director, LVCT Health called for urgent investments in child and adolescent mental health to ensure the problem does not manifest to adulthood and overall health of the country’s population.

“This summit is more than a gathering, it is movement that demands for urgent action to place mental health on Kenya’s development agenda, ”said Dr.Otiso.

Her call was supported by alarming statistics from Dr. Mercy Karanja, a representative from the Ministry of Health that showed 1 in 3 Kenyan adolescents are facing  mental health challenges amidst rising poverty, unemployment, academic pressures, and violence.

“This issue can not be addressed by the government alone, but through the concerted efforts of everyone present in this meeting and beyond the confinements of this summit,” she said.

At the summit, youth shared their lived experiences, highlighting stigma, lack of safe spaces, and limited access to care as barriers they face every day.

Dr. Tommy Clark, CEO of Grassroot Soccer, reminded participants that “young people learn best from people they respect, look up to, and trust.” This truth underlines the need for mentors and role models in mental health programming.

The summit also  highlighted the critical link between learning and wellness, emphasizing that quality, equitable education cannot be achieved without addressing mental health.

Speaking to this critical link, Elizabeth Otieno from the Ministry of Education called for enhanced mental health literacy, improved teacher training, peer support, and expanded psychosocial services in schools. She also challenged harmful stereotypes, such as the misconception that boys do not experience mental health struggles.

“How big is the issue of mental health in schools? We don’t know, because we cannot yet quantify it, she said.

Throughout the summit, discussions centered on the need to amplify youth voices and perspectives, investment in cutting-edge innovations and digital solutions for mental well-being, and strengthen policies along with stakeholder commitments for  long-term and sustained solutions for mental health.

Evidence-based innovations through sport-based mental health initiatives

MindSKILLZ program, a promising sport-based model, holistic youth-led initiative developed by Grassroot Soccer, and contextualized in Kenya by LVCT Health, young researchers, and mental health experts, featured prominently with the program coaches providing an engaging participatory demo for the audience.  This preventive, youth-led approach has helped in creating mental health awareness, resilience and coping skills to navigate their futures.

The program has reached over 11,000 adolescents in Mombasa and Nairobi counties, achieving impressive results, with plans already underway to scale up to other counties in Kenya.

According to recent data from the program’s evaluation, there has been a 47% decline in young people experiencing clinical depression, leading to sustained improvements in mental well-being which demonstrates long-term resilience among the target population. Parents and program coaches have also observed improved school performance among the young people, with over 91% of participants providing positive feedback about the initiative.

In their words, watch the MindSKILLZ Coaches video here.

Sports for Health- A demonstration of MindSKILLZ

The second day of the summit demonstrated these principles in action, as participants particularly the youth participated in various sporting activities, including a football tournament. This highlighted the significant positive impact of sports on mental well-being, emphasizing that physical activity releases feel-good endorphins, while team play fosters a sense of community and belonging.

MindSKILLZ coaches demonstrated how they use sports for mental health by training adolescents how to understand and cope with their emotions and stresses. They carried out exercises like Take 5 (controlled breathing), stressers (stress ball) and support structures activities.

Next steps

The conversations in Mombasa sent a clear message: mental health for children and adolescents should not be an afterthought but an integral part of their development journey, starting with recognizing its significance and establishing safe environments for all.

Participants noted that, despite the progress achieved over the years, access to mental health services remain significant challenge.

The momentum now lies in translating these commitments into tangible actions:

• Increase investments and foster collaboration to support mental health across all stages of life.
• The Government of Kenya through relevant ministries to expedite the development of a national Child and Adolescent Mental Health Policy to facilitate stigma reduction, sustainable funding, and the protection of children’s rights to thrive.
• Develop and implement sustainable, evidence-based, youth-led initiatives aimed at promoting mental well-being among young people.
• Establish safe mental health spaces at both national and county levels.
• Break taboos and stereotypes that prevent children and adolescents from from openly expressing their needs and aspirations.

As a leading Kenyan organization, LVCT Health remains dedicated to leveraging its influence at county, national, and global levels to advocate for increased collective efforts and investments in mental health. This commitment extends beyond adolescents to encompass all age groups and populations.

Read our study brief: Voices of the Youth — Addressing Mental Health Gaps for Adolescents and Young People in Kenya.

Media Coverage Links

Follow the conversation: #CAMH2025 #mentalhealth #YouthVoices #MentalHealthMatters #CAMHSummit

For more information: https://one2onekenya.org/

Convened by LVCT Health, the introductory meeting of the LEARN Project brought together education stakeholders drawn from across the education and child protection sectors.

Participants included Directors from the Ministry of Education, Kiambu County, the Teachers Service Commission, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Senior officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Gender, both at county and national levels, also attended. Additionally, Heads of Institutions from selected primary schools, Board of Management representatives, Parent–Teacher Association leaders, the TSC wellness team, and Quality Assurance and Standards Officers were present, ensuring diverse perspectives from schools, local authorities, and government.

The event marked the start of LEARN’s pilot implementation in Kiambu, which will test a whole-school approach to addressing corporal punishment through positive discipline, teacher wellness, learner life skills, and stronger leadership and community engagement.

Shared Commitment to End Violence Against Children

In his opening remarks Mr. Simon Wanjohi, the County Director of Education, Kiambu County called for collective responsibility in creating safer environments for children in and out of schools environments.

“The environments where our children live and learn must nurture them, not harm them. Together—as educators, parents, leaders, and communities—we can make school safety a shared reality,” Simon Wanjohi, County Director of Education,Kiambu County

The discussions acknowledged that, while corporal punishment is banned in Kenya, the practice is still a reality in many schools. Stakeholders emphasised that ending this harmful norm requires a whole-school approach that supports teachers, engages school boards and parents, and strengthens leadership accountability.

The State Department of Children Services built on this message, noting that efforts in Kiambu are part of a national priority. “This project reflects Kenya’s commitment under the National Prevention and Response Plan on Violence Against Children and the 2024 Bogotá Pledge. What we see in Kiambu contributes to a national vision: safe, inclusive, and non-violent schools in every county.”

Voices from the Meeting

“When learners don’t cooperate and we are under pressure to meet targets, the instinct has been to control through threats. But I’ve come to see that children are carrying burdens of their own. Punishment is not the solution.”

Another participant shared a vivid childhood memory of resisting the cane and later being shielded by family from violent discipline. Now serving in the Department of Gender, they reflected: “That experience shaped me. As a teacher, I vowed to treat learners with respect and care. This project is about making that commitment possible for every teacher.”

Teachers and Learners at the Centre

Teachers emphasised their need for training in ethics, child management, and stress reduction. The Teachers Service Commission Wellness Team presented their existing wellness programme, which includes counselling, peer learning, and behaviour change support. They highlighted how the LEARN pilot complements their mandate.

“A teacher who feels supported mentally and emotionally does not need to resort to the cane. Our wellness mandate and LVCT Health’s efforts through LEARN work together to strengthen safe, quality education.” – TSC representative

Learners, meanwhile, will benefit most when parents and caregivers, through PTAs and school boards, actively reinforce positive discipline and provide consistent support across school and home.

Emerging Priorities

The meeting identified several key areas for action:

• Mentorship for teachers, particularly for young professionals who need guidance and experienced teachers who require motivation to adopt new methods.
• Strengthening safety structures in schools, including functional safety committees and child protection mechanisms.
• Parent sensitisation through forums and information materials to shift norms around discipline and support positive approaches.
• Incorporating wider community actors such as chiefs, nyumba kumi leaders, and spiritual leaders into prevention and response efforts.

Together, participants envisioned their best version of a school: one where collaboration is routine, referrals are clear, parents are engaged, and communities take joint ownership of child safety.

Moving Forward

Closing the meeting, a representative from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection stressed the shared responsibility of all actors: “Eliminating violence against children cannot be left to schools alone. Parents, teachers, communities, and policymakers must walk this journey together.” The State Department of Children Services further highlighted the need to ground the LEARN Project in national frameworks such as the Prevention and Response Plan and Kenya’s Bogotá Pledge, to ensure that county-level actions are tied to national and global commitments.

The next steps for Kiambu include the creation of a County Advisory Group, the roll-out of interventions beginning June 2025, and continued monitoring to ensure schools become safe, inclusive spaces where learners thrive.

Why This Matters

The LEARN Project is a pilot initiative that uses a whole-school approach to eliminate corporal punishment by replacing violence with positive discipline, life skills education, and stronger teacher and leadership support.

The Kiambu launch is more than a county milestone. It demonstrates how local action can drive national progress toward Kenya’s commitments under the Constitution, the Children Act, the NPRP, the Bogotá Pledge, and SDG 16.2. By linking schools, communities, and government, LEARN is building the foundation for a Kenya where children grow, learn, and succeed free from violence.

Story by Anne Ngunjiri and Festus Mutua (Reviewer)

Nairobi County, 9 October 2024: LVCT Health recently hosted a high-level national consultative meeting at Monarch Hotel in Nairobi to introduce the LEARN Project and strengthen collaboration with Kenya’s education authorities.

The meeting aimed to foster government ownership of the pilot initiative and ensure its objectives align with Kenya’s Education Sector Implementation Plan 2023–2027. The plan emphasizes key priorities such as learner safety, teacher wellness, and the promotion of positive discipline, highlighting the government’s commitment to creating a safer and more supportive educational environment nationwide.

The meeting brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Education — including directorates of Policy and Partnerships, Basic Education, Quality Assurance and Standards, Early Childhood Education, and Special Needs Education — alongside the Teachers Service Commission wellness team. LVCT Health programme leads also participated, presenting the LEARN pilot and other school-based interventions. Together with LVCT Health’s programme leads, the group explored how LEARN can reinforce national strategies, strengthen teacher support, and create classrooms where learners are protected and able to thrive.

Government Priorities

The meeting was structured as a dialogue between the Ministry, TSC, and LVCT Health, with space for each to outline their current priorities and programmes. Ministry officials used the opportunity to share highlights of the Education Sector Implementation Plan 2023–2027, which places safety and inclusion at the centre of quality learning. Priorities include:

• Developing safeguarding guidelines and child protection frameworks for teachers.
• Rolling out policies on the prevention of gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy.
• Mainstreaming inclusion for learners with disabilities and special needs.
• Strengthening teacher capacity to deliver psychosocial support.
• Building systems to collect and monitor school safety data.

One official explained: “Safety is integral to learning. The Implementation Plan reflects our resolve to create environments where children are protected, teachers are supported, and no learner is left behind.”

For LVCT Health, this created a clear pathway to show how the LEARN pilot directly complements these goals, especially in addressing corporal punishment through positive discipline and equipping teachers and learners with the tools they need to thrive.

The TSC Wellness Team highlighted mental health as a critical concern, noting that almost a third of teachers experience psychosocial distress. Stigma often delays help-seeking, and many teachers only access support when challenges are already advanced. The Commission shared its interventions, including counselling services, support for substance abuse, and wellness clinics.

“Teacher wellness is central to safe schools. A teacher who feels supported is better able to build trust with learners and avoid harmful practices. Partnerships allow us to expand our wellness mandate and strengthen prevention, not just crisis response,” teacher representative.

The discussion underscored how LEARN’s teacher-focused interventions — self-reflection tools, peer learning, and stress management support — align with TSC’s wellness agenda and can help teachers adopt sustainable, positive approaches to discipline.

LVCT Health’s Contribution

LVCT Health presented its portfolio of school-based programmes, highlighting the LEARN Project as a pilot built through co-creation with education stakeholders. From the outset, the Ministry of Education, TSC, teachers, learners, and community representatives have been involved in shaping both the design and the implementation approach. This ensures the project is not an external add-on, but fully aligned with government systems, community needs, and classroom realities.

The LEARN Project introduces positive discipline strategies as alternatives to corporal punishment, supports teacher wellness, and builds life skills among learners. These interventions complement the Ministry’s Implementation Plan 2023–2027 by directly addressing its priorities on safety, protection, inclusion, and well-being.

“LEARN is more than a pilot. It is a process of listening and bringing stakeholders together — from policy-makers to headteachers, from teachers to learners and their caregivers. Our role is to connect evidence from schools and communities with national policy, so that what works locally can be scaled sustainably.” Anne Ngunjiri, the Project Lead, LVCT Health.

Through this approach, LVCT Health underscored its commitment to ensuring that every voice — from the classroom to the ministry — shapes safer and more inclusive learning environments.

Agreements from the Meeting

The consultative dialogue closed with a set of practical commitments designed to ensure that the priorities of the Ministry and the objectives of LEARN move forward together. Participants agreed to:

• Jointly develop operational guidelines on child protection and positive discipline that can be rolled out across schools.
• Draw on evidence from the LEARN pilot to inform national safeguarding frameworks and teacher wellness programmes.
• Expand teacher capacity-building in stress management, positive discipline, and psychosocial support, recognising wellness as a foundation for safe schools.

“This meeting has set the tone for stronger collaboration. Together we will ensure that the commitments in our Implementation Plan are realised in every school.” Directorate of Policy and Partnerships

Written by Frontline AIDS

Can female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) services be implemented as part of broader sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) interventions? Are healthcare workers and women and girls receptive to these changes? If so, what is needed to make it happen and what is the best way to share these lessons from Kenya?

These were some of the guiding questions for the FGS Integration Project, that LVCT Health  implemented in collaboration with Frontline AIDS, and Bridges to Development in three counties of Kenya, from 2023 to 2025. 

The project showed that integrating FGS into sexual and reproductive health and rights interventions (SRHR) isn’t just ‘possible’, but that it is vital to reach women and girls with this unknown condition.

FGS IS OFTEN UNKNOWN AND MISDIAGNOSED  

FGS is a serious gynaecological condition caused by a water-borne parasite called schistosomiasis haematobium or bilharzia.  It disproportionately affects women and girls who lack access to safe, clean water, sanitation and quality healthcare. The condition causes inflammation and lesions in the genital tissue that, if left untreated, can  lead to infertility and increase the risk of HIV, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and cervical cancer. It is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood, as well as under-reported and under-researched.

Healthcare workers are largely unaware of FGS, as this is generally not covered in their medical training curricula. As FGS is relatively unknown and has similar symptoms to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), many women are often misdiagnosed with an STI, instead of with FGS. This misdiagnosis can result in incorrect treatment, stigma, discrimination and gender-based violence (GBV).

“Previously, there used to be a lot of quarrels in the family… A man wants to have sex, but the wife says she is having pain, so the husband will say that it is an STI because people believed that everything is STI,” said one woman from Homa Bay, who was part of the project.

The project set out to examine how FGS services can be integrated into SRHR interventions, budgets and policies – nationally within Kenya, and locally in the Homa Bay, Kwale and Kilifi counties, which all have a high prevalence of schistosomiasis.

The project sought to create awareness about FGS in communities and healthcare facilities and to ensure that healthcare workers were able to diagnose and treat FGS as well as support women experiencing stigma, discrimination and GBV.

IS INTEGRATING FGS INTO SRHR SERVICES POSSIBLE?  

The project ​defined and piloted a ‘minimum service package’ (MSP) for FGS-SRHR integration and then assessed the ‘feasibility, acceptability, and cost’ of this integration.

The MSP demonstrated how the health literacy, screening, diagnosis and treatment of FGS could be integrated into routine health screenings – as well as support women with mental health.

Importantly, healthcare workers from Homa Bay said that they felt that this approach was feasible and didn’t significantly add to their workload: “In the process of screening cancer, you are also screening for FGS, so there is no workload at all. It is not adding anything, because as you write the report of cancer screening, you also write the FGS report”. 

The integration of health areas is particularly important now given that global health funding and strategies are increasingly moving away from siloed approaches that focus on one health issue. Crucially, this approach also benefits the women receiving integrated healthcare, who do not have the time or resources for multiple trips to different clinics.

Findings from the integration pilot in Kenya demonstrated that women and girls were receptive to receiving integrated FGS and SRHR interventions and that healthcare workers were happy to provide them.

“We are doing a one-stop shop,” said a female health worker from Kwale County. “When we see the client, we sell all the services. So nowadays there’s nothing that needs to be changed. It’s a routine. They know we offer all the services.” 

However, the project findings demonstrated that integrating FGS into SRHR services is only feasible if clinical staff receive training and supportive supervision, diagnostic supplies are available, and facilities are adequately stocked with praziquantel – the medication used to treat FGS.

Funded by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), the project resulted in:

• 400 healthcare workers and 345 community health workers being trained on FGS integration.
•  8,856 women being screened for FGS, of which 27% (2,441 women) were diagnosed with FGS and were treated with praziquantel, at a cost of $10.30 per woman.*
• Nearly 56,000 women reached with FGS health literacy, at a cost of just $0.50 per woman.*

*These costs are considered low in comparison to other studies on integrated SRHR services.

SCALING UP THE APPROACH TO REACH MORE WOMEN

Given these promising findings, this approach has the potential to be adopted in other schistosomiasis endemic areas to meet the needs of the millions of girls and women affected by this neglected condition. 

Sustaining – and ultimately scaling up – this integrated approach requires action at national and global levels.  

Globally, funding needs to be made available for integrated health approaches that can support more FGS pilot projects. FGS, although caused by a neglected tropical disease, must be recognised as a SRH condition and referenced in SRH policies and strategies. Normative guidelines must urgently be developed across the pillars of the health system.  Training curricula for healthcare workers must also be developed, including integration with sectors related to stigma, discrimination and GBV. FGS must be recognised as a gendered issue and integrated into policies to support gender equality.

In parallel, guidelines must be developed to support the integration of FGS into national health systems, and indicators must be developed and added into data systems to record cases. Treatment must be available in healthcare facilities, and training curricula must embedded into healthcare worker training.  

A core finding of the study was the importance of health literacy and raising awareness about FGS so that communities are aware of this neglected condition and know that they can seek and receive help. Strong political leadership at the national and local level, specifically in local level health planning, is crucial so that women living with FGS are no longer neglected and can get the support and treatment that they need. 

“Each and every time I meet new people, the same conversation comes up,” said a woman treated for FGS and interviewed for our short film. “I want them to know about FGS. My hope is I want them to be FGS free.”

Learn more about the women affected by FGS by watching our short film, FGS: The Silent Women’s Epidemic

In the quiet rural corners of Kenya’s coastal region, a small hospital in Kaloleni Sub-County, Kilifi County, is making a big difference—one patient at a time.

Jibana Sub-County Hospital may not be widely known, but behind its modest walls lies a story of resilience, innovation, and hope. It is a story that exemplifies how integrating health services can transform communities and save lives.

Decades of foreign aid have propelled Kenya to remarkable milestones in its HIV and TB response, leading to a decline in incidence, prevalence, and mortality. Today, Kenya is on the path towards exceeding the global 95-95-95 targets, with greater access to HIV testing and optimized care and treatment services for eligible populations.

According to the National AIDS & STI Control Programme (NASCOP), over 1.3 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) are receiving treatment in Kenya, thanks to the decentralization of HIV services and strong collaboration between the various stakeholders, including counties and communities.

Despite these achievements, the traditional vertical programming of HIV and TB services has led to fragmented healthcare delivery, resulting in high costs, parallel systems, and gaps in quality—especially for clients whose health needs span beyond HIV, such as those with non-communicable diseases, hypertension, diabetes, cervical cancer, and mental health conditions.

Dr. Philip Masaulo, the Deputy Chief of Party for LVCT Health’s PEPFAR-funded USAID Stawisha Pwani project, highlights that integrating HIV and TB services into routine healthcare, amid reduced funding, has helped streamline services across the project’s supported facilities. This shift is not just policy; it is about real people managing complex health challenges in resource-constrained settings. Among them is Rehema Nzemeri, a clinical officer at Jibana Hospital, who recalls how, even before official directives, her team took proactive steps to streamline care.

Advancing Kenya’s Integration Journey

Last year, Kenya took a bold step by convening a national HIV Service Delivery Integration Summit to rethink and align its HIV response toward a more holistic and patient-centered care.

Dr. Masaulo notes that this strategy, combined with lessons from the U.S. Government’s Stop Work Order (SWO) for all implementing partners, underscored the urgent need to integrate stand-alone Comprehensive Care Clinics (CCCs) into routine services at government health facilities, including 370 facilities supported by LVCT Health’s USAID Stawisha Pwani project in Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita Taveta counties.

“This approach offers a more efficient way to provide holistic care, removing barriers to access and utilization that were common in the standalone clinics,” Masaulo explains.

Integration broadly refers to unifying various health services and programs to ensure individuals and communities receive coordinated, continuous, and comprehensive care that meets their needs over time and across all levels of the health system (WHO). The goal is to improve patient outcomes, improved access to HIV/TB services, efficient use of resources, better data monitoring, strengthened health systems and reduction of HIV related stigma.

Rehema shares, “When we saw the challenges our patients faced, multiple visits, stigma, long wait times—we decided to integrate our services”. The hospital combined key departments: the laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, and triage, creating a seamless flow for patients. This move was driven by necessity; understaffing meant that efficiency was crucial for quality care.

The staff received specialized training to handle the broader scope of services, ensuring that a client visiting for HIV testing could quickly be linked to care and treatment—all under one roof. The hospital also replaced the traditional yellow cards for HIV care, instead using patients’ regular hospital cards, with strict measures to protect their privacy.

The evolving financial landscape and the need for locally tailored solutions underscore the urgency of rethinking Kenya’s HIV response within the framework of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, across stakeholders, as noted during the HIV Service Integration Summit held last year in Mombasa.

Rehema shares, “Patients feel more comfortable because they are not singled out. They can access all their health needs in one place, which encourages adherence and retention in care. “I urge all facilities to embrace this approach—it is the future of healthcare.”

Understanding the importance of patient feedback, Jibana Hospital implemented simple yet effective ways to hear from their clients—questionnaires, audio recordings for those who can’t read or write. This feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, confirming that integration is working.

In collaboration with Kilifi County Health Management Team (CHMT), LVCT Health has begun rolling out HIV/TB service integration models to ensure that over 25,474 people living with HIV in the county receive comprehensive, high-quality care. Jibana Hospital has significantly enhanced the integration of HIV and TB services within its outpatient department.

These efforts are also being replicated in other project-supported counties, thus preventing complications and facilitating improved health outcomes for people living with HIV and TB.

A Hopeful Future

Despite these successes, hurdles remain. Understaffing, gaps in staff skills—especially in managing HIV and TB from start to finish—and limited technological resources pose ongoing challenges. Yet, the dedication of healthcare workers like Rehema keeps the momentum going.

Dr Masaulo notes that, while HIV and TB services are currently offered free of charge, costs for managing NCD-related conditions remain a challenge for most of the affected people.

To promote the uptake and sustained delivery of holistic care, the project is encouraging people living with HIV to register for the Social Health Authority (SHA), a government universal health coverage initiative aimed at ensuring access to quality healthcare services without financial hardship. 

Their efforts are echoing beyond Jibana, shaping national policies and inspiring other facilities to follow suit.

Jibana Hospital’s journey is a testament to what is possible when health services are designed around people’s needs—cohesive, efficient, and stigma-free. Thanks to initiatives like USAID’s Stawisha Pwani project, which supports integrated HIV and TB care alongside nutrition and health system strengthening, communities are beginning to see a brighter, healthier future.

“Patients feel more comfortable because they’re not singled out. They can access all their health needs in one place, which encourages adherence and retention in care. “I urge all facilities to embrace this approach—it’s the future of healthcare.”-Rehema Nzemeri, clinical officer, Jibana Health Facility

Story by Simon Templer Kodiaga and Festus Mutua (Reviewer)

Eight years ago, in the bustling neighborhood of Mtopanga,Mombasa County,  Jane a mother of two (not her real name) strolled through Soweto Grounds with her friends, excited about attending a health outreach event offering free medical services.

Among the offerings was HIV testing services, which she saw as just another routine check. “I have always taken a test before, She said, beaming with confidence.

“ I am healthy, look at me.I trust my partner, she said,  encouraging her friends to also to also get tested.

But a simple conversation with the nurse changed everything when she received a diagnosis that shook her to the core: she was HIV-positive-—an important piece of information that she had not anticipated.

The walk home felt heavy and long coupled by a mixture of shock, uncertainty, and a desire to understand what this would mean for her future and that of her family.

”I was shocked. The diagnosis was devastating at first, especially seeing how people living with HIV often face discrimination and isolation even from the closet family members. ” Jane.

From Silence to Strength

At home, Jane kept herself away from her family and friends. The discovery left her in shock, with deep fear of rejection and stigma, choosing  to hide her HIV status from everyone including her husband.

However, after a tiring period of visiting different clinics and retesting her results, Jane realized she couldn’t keep it a secret forever. She gathered her courage and shared the news with her husband.

Together, they sought treatment, starting on life saving antiretroviral therapy and committing to a new way of life. But life’s challenges persisted. In 2018, she made the difficult decision to leave her husband and move in with her sister in another county, seeking refuge from stigma. Despite her hopes for support, she faced discrimination even in her sister’s home—her sister refusing her participation in household chores, fearing she might infect the family.

A New Beginning: Jane’s Journey and Triumph

Determined to rebuild her life, Jane returned home and took on small jobs, such as selling Mahamri—(famous triangular buns commonly enjoyed as breakfast among coastal communities)—to support her children.

Her primary goal was to keep them  in school and ensure they had food and shelter. However, she could not ignore the emptiness left by their father’s absence, prompting her to reconcile with him.

They moved back together, trying to create a semblance of normalcy.

With renewed focus, Jane committed herself to taking her medication diligently and making life better for her family, who were now her greatest motivation.

A few months later, Jane discovered she was pregnant. Her joy was tempered by her husband’s opposition; constantly reminding her of the risk of infecting the unborn baby. Despite his fears, Jane refused to consider abortion, committed to giving her child a chance to life.

Faced with the difficult situation, the couple sought medical assistance from Kongowea  Health centre, one of the LVCT Health supported facility that offers comprehensive care and treatment services through PEPFAR supported program.

Now expecting her third child, Jane is more confident that they will have a healthy baby following the timely medical intervention and guidance they received from the facility. It is during the various antenatal care clinics, she learned about Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) interventions. This crucial knowledge not only  made her aware that she could give birth to an HIV-negative child but also experience the intimate bond of breastfeeding without transmitting the virus.

“With support from this program, I am now  able to live a healthy life, but also give birth to and nurtured my child without transmitting the virus. I an now  fully confident that my baby will be born HIV-negative”,says  Jane

Becoming a Mentor Mother

Eleven months after giving birth, Jane now offers words of encouragement to other women, guiding them through the journey of having a healthy baby after an HIV diagnosis.

Today, she speaks with immense pride about her four-year-old daughter, whom she attributes to the significant impact of the USAID Stawisha Pwani project.

Through the initiative, LVCT Health implements community and facility-based interventions to support Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT). From the first antenatal clinic visit and throughout pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding, the project provides a range of services for women of reproductive age—whether living with HIV or at risk—to maintain their health and prevent their infants from acquiring the virus.

Jane says joining the mentor mother program has restored her self-esteem and confidence.

“I don’t want other women to go through what I did,” she states. “I share my story to counsel them. Thanks to the PMTCT services, I have an HIV-free child. I advise pregnant women to adhere to their medications and exclusive breastfeeding to prevent HIV transmission to their babies.

Since 2021, Kongowea Health Centre, supported by USAID Stawisha Pwani, has achieved a remarkable milestone towards preventing mother-to-child HIV transmissions among women enrolled in its PMTCT program.

Ending Pediatric AIDS.

The Kenyan Government, in partnership with various stakeholders in the health sector, has committed to eliminating mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, and to ending pediatric AIDS.

Through the USAID Stawisha Pwani project, funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), LVCT Health is implementing an integrated and comprehensive continuum of care. This approach aims to ensure that mothers like Jane in Kenya’s coastal counties stay healthy and that, should they become pregnant in the future, these interventions will prevent many infants from acquiring HIV.

Morine Ondara, Nursing Officer In-charge, attributes this success to a comprehensive approach that includes dedicated staff, early and repeated HIV testing, and the immediate initiation of life-saving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). She notes that a stigma-free environment, strong community engagement, and personalized care have been crucial in saving lives. Additionally, she notes that regular viral load monitoring ensures the effectiveness of treatment.

Dr. Patrick Oyaro, the Chief of Party for the PEPFAR-supported project, highlights that more women attending antenatal care (ANC) are now being offered HIV testing and counseling. Those testing positive are enrolled in care and treatment—a significant milestone in addressing the global triple burden of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B

Using a quality improvement approach, the project has established mechanisms to prevent missed opportunities during ANC visits—such as testing, initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART), ensuring skilled birth attendance, accurate documentation, timely reporting, and postnatal follow-up.

According to Oyaro, who also serves as the Team Lead and Mentor for the four coastal counties on behalf of the National Global Alliance, these strategies are crucial to eliminating these infections.

Since its inception in 2021, the USAID Stawisha Pwani project has achieved significant progress in reducing MTCT rates of HIV/AIDS and other related illnesses.

In 2024, 98% of pregnant or breastfeeding women living with HIV enrolled in project-supported facilities were initiated on ART.

Currently, the project supports approximately 74 facilities providing PMTCT services and employs 19 mentor mothers across Mombasa County to guide pregnant and breastfeeding women throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum, ensuring the birth of HIV-free babies.

Today, Jane’s success story is one of many. Mombasa County, like other supported counties in the coastal Kenya  is gradually progressing towards the goal of zero new pediatric HIV infections—one HIV-negative baby at a time.

The lives transformed, hope restored, and healthier futures made possible stand as a lasting testament to our commitment to creating a world where every child can reach their full potential.

Story by Simon Templer Kodiaga and Festus Mutua (Reviewer)