Tag: Health ministry news

No Ebola-Free Certificate Required For Uganda Departures, Health Ministry Clarifies

Posted on by Dennis Elnino

The Ministry of Health has issued a firm clarification to the public and international transit agencies, stating that travelers departing from Uganda do not require an “Ebola-Free Certificate” for international travel, employment placement, or foreign visa applications.

In a formal statement released on Monday, June 15, 2026, the ministry moved to aggressively dismantle growing public anxiety and viral misinformation circulating across digital platforms regarding travel restrictions tied to the active regional Ebola situation.

Clarifying the Travel Protocols

The health registry explicitly emphasized that no such medical certification is recognized, generated, or issued as part of the country’s containment protocols.

“Travellers departing from Uganda do not require an Ebola-Free Certificate and such certificates are not a requirement for visa applications to any country,” the Ministry of Health stated, aiming to ease the bureaucratic hurdles faced by cross-border commuters.

Strict Guidelines: Testing is Not Routine

Addressing how laboratory diagnostics are deployed, the ministry clarified that Ebola testing is not a routine administrative box to be checked at points of exit. Instead, medical testing remains tightly ring-fenced under strict clinical and epidemiological conditions.

The state noted that testing resources are strictly reserved for individuals who display actual symptoms consistent with Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) or those explicitly red-flagged as direct contacts of confirmed cases by frontline surveillance teams.

By keeping testing bound to clinical necessity rather than transit paperwork, health authorities aim to keep international trade corridors moving smoothly while focusing medical resources squarely on active containment.

Health Ministry Warns Kenyans Against “Strenuous” Viral Tree-Hugging Challenges

Posted on by Dennis Elnino

The Ministry of Health has issued a formal public advisory cautioning Kenyans against participating in prolonged tree-hugging marathons without first undergoing a comprehensive medical evaluation.

The warning comes as the “tree-hugging challenge” sweeps across the country, inspired by Truphena Muthoni, who gained national fame after completing a 72-hour initiative in December 2025. While the trend has been adopted for various causes—including environmental activism and charity—the government is raising the alarm over the physical toll it takes on the body.

Rising Health Incidents

Speaking on Thursday, January 15, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni characterized the practice as a “strenuous exercise” rather than a passive activity. She revealed that the Ministry has already documented several cases of participants collapsing and requiring emergency hospitalization.

“I have seen people who are really in the mood for hugging trees,” the PS remarked. “That is a strenuous exercise. Before doing the challenge, make sure you go for a check-up.”

A Trend with Diverse Motives

What started as a record-breaking attempt has evolved into a popular form of protest and fundraising:

  • In Limuru: A young man attempted the challenge to raise school fees for his younger brother.
  • In Meru: A resident used the challenge to protest against regional banditry.
  • In Bungoma: A young woman was recently rushed to the hospital immediately after finishing a 74-hour marathon.

The Ministry’s Stance

The government clarified that it is not banning the challenge, but rather advocating for “medical fitness first.” PS Muthoni emphasized that advocacy and social media trends should never come at the expense of personal health.

The Ministry is now recommending:

  1. Mandatory Medical Checkups: To identify underlying heart or respiratory issues.
  2. Gradual Training: Treating the challenge like a marathon that requires physical conditioning.
  3. Proper Preparation: Ensuring participants are physically equipped for the endurance required by such long periods of standing and exposure.

“We are not stopping anyone,” the PS reiterated, “but you must first undergo a medical checkup to ensure that you are medically fit.”