From left, Haleon General Manager Himanshu Raj signs the MoU as the Amref Kenya Country Manager Meshak Ndirangu looks on during the Haleon X Amref MoU signing at the Haleon offices in Nairobi today./PHOTO; Courtesy
Malaria continues to threaten millions of lives in Kenya, particularly in western counties such as Siaya, where high transmission rates persist.
In response, Amref Health Kenya and Haleon Kenya Ltd have formalized a partnership to deliver community-driven initiatives that prevent malaria, raise awareness, and improve access to effective treatment.
The program aims to equip local communities with the tools and knowledge needed to fight the disease while strengthening health systems at the grassroots level.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Himanshu Raj, General Manager, Haleon Sub-Saharan Africa, said:
“This partnership with Amref reflects our purpose to deliver better everyday health with humanity by empowering communities to manage malaria and fever more effectively. Through this initiative, we are putting health in more hands.”
The initiative targets approximately 75,000 people, including 200 community health promoters (CHPs), 30 Community Health Assistants (CHAs), 190 teachers, and 45,600 schoolchildren.
By training local health workers and promoting malaria prevention and fever management in schools and health facilities, the program seeks to create a resilient network capable of responding to malaria outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations.
Siaya County is among Kenya’s most malaria-affected regions due to its tropical climate, proximity to Lake Victoria, and limited healthcare access.
Malaria remains a leading public health challenge nationally, with 75% of the population at risk, about 3.4 million new cases reported annually, and over 11,000 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health (2024 Malaria Report).
The partnership will focus on community education, fever management, distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), and the training of health workers and community health promoters.
By embedding malaria prevention and awareness into school curricula and local health services, the initiative aims to reduce incidence while building long-term capacity in affected communities.
Dr. Meshack Ndirangu, Country Director of Amref Health Kenya, emphasized the importance of collaboration:
“Public–private partnerships like this are vital for achieving lasting health impact. By combining Amref’s community health expertise with Haleon’s leadership in consumer health, we are building a strong platform to reduce the malaria burden and strengthen local health systems.”
“This collaboration directly supports our Malaria and Climate Big Bet, which aims to cut malaria cases by 90% by 2030 by giving communities the tools, knowledge, and climate-resilient strategies needed to stay ahead of changing transmission patterns.”
The initiative aligns with World Health Organization guidelines recommending paracetamol as a first-line treatment for malaria-related fever.
It promotes responsible fever management at the community level, highlighting Panadol (paracetamol) as an accessible, evidence-based solution without a commercial emphasis.
Additionally, the program leverages insights from the Health Inclusivity Index, an international study supported by Haleon and conducted by Economist Impact.
The Index suggests that improving health literacy in Kenya could generate USD 186 million annually if low health literacy prevalence is reduced by 25%.
Through this initiative, Haleon and Amref aim to translate these findings into practical action, ensuring vulnerable populations can access quality, affordable healthcare solutions.
By combining prevention, treatment, and education, the partnership represents a comprehensive approach to tackling malaria.
With a focus on schools, local health facilities, and community health actors, the program is expected to strengthen health systems while directly reducing malaria incidence and related deaths in Siaya County.
About Haleon:
Haleon (LSE/NYSE: HLN) is a global leader in consumer health, with a purpose to deliver better everyday health with humanity. Haleon’s product portfolio spans six major categories built on science and innovation and deep human understanding.
About Amref
Amref Health Africa, headquartered in Kenya, is the largest Africa-based international health and development organisation, providing training and health services to over 20 million people annually in at least 30 African countries.
Amref continues to innovate to expand sustainable health access, addressing global health emergencies, major diseases, maternal and child health, and the impacts of water, sanitation, and climate change, grounded in 68 years of trusted partnership with communities and governments.
Amref’s work is supported by subsidiaries, including Amref Flying Doctors and the Amref International University (AMIU).
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