Afya Research Africa

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Afya Research Africa

We aim to make healthcare in Kenya convenient, affordable, and effective.

Guided by the belief that healthcare should harness the unique strengths of the people it’s meant to serve, we help communities set-up and manage medical centres, design the right health technology for small remote healthcare facilities, and promote local research and evidence-based medicine to improve quality of care. Afya Research Africa is a partner of The County Innovation Challenge Fund in Homa Bay and Turkana Counties, has been recognized as an innovative healthcare solution by the Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator at Duke University (SEAD), GEHEalthymagination, and the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, is an active member in the Innovations in Healthcare network, and a grantee of the Pfizer Foundation bringing primary healthcare services to underserved communities.

03/09/2025

Luxury looks different for everyone. For mothers in the informal settlements we work in, it often meant choosing between daily survival and the high cost of disposable diapers. It was from this reality that the idea to train caregivers on how to make reusable diapers was born.

We may not shout our accomplishments from rooftops, but in our hearts, we know we changed the lives of three or four mothers who had been quietly carrying the weight of these struggles. And sometimes, that is where true impact lies.
WomenLift Health Politics4Her Hivos Global Fund for Women

01/09/2025

Last week, Cdsk Disability hosted the closeout session for the Make Way Programme, bringing together partners from Afya Research Africa and St. Francis Oriang.

The session was both reflective and celebratory, marking five years of the Make Way Programme. For the past two years, Afya Research Africa (ARA) has been part of this journey, working with young people with disabilities in Kibera and Mukuru Kwa Reuben. Through safe spaces, we have opened up conversations on their rights, empowered them to speak confidently about their sexual and reproductive health and equipped them with practical skills such as making reusable sanitary towels and diapers.

In addition, the session highlighted findings from our research titled “Assessing Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Quality (AAAQ) of SRH Services for Persons with Disabilities in Primary Health Care Facilities in Kenya.”

This evidence has been key in shaping advocacy efforts and sparking conversations that matter for more intersectional health systems.

The gathering spotlighted success stories and drew important lessons for the future, particularly the need for strong partnerships, government collaboration and an intersectional approach to addressing overlapping vulnerabilities.

While the programme may have closed, the impact is undeniable. The voices raised, the evidence generated and the partnerships strengthened will continue to drive the vision of a future where SRHR is truly intersectional and accessible for all. VSO WomenLift Health Liliane Fonds Hivos

11/07/2025

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵? In a Make Way session in Kibera, Nairobi, young girls with disabilities alongside their caregivers challenged the silence and stigma surrounding their sexuality.

They spoke openly about how society often views them as asexual or worse, unworthy of love, relationships or agency. Yet their voices were powerful, clear, and bold: "𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄, 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀."

S*x education is for everyone. And when we create safe, inclusive spaces, we begin to break down the harmful stereotypes that hold too many girls back.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗥𝗛𝗥 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀? Cdsk Disability

01/07/2025

In collaboration with Cheshire Disability Services Kenya and St. Francis Oriang Development Programme, we joined regional Make Way implementing partners at the 8th Pan-African AYSRHR Scientific Conference 2025, hosted by Reproductive Health Network Kenya and The Ministry of Health.

At the conference, our team delivered an insightful presentation on: “𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗤) 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗥𝗛 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮.”

Our participation emphasized the importance of integrating an intersectional lens in advancing SRHR, especially for youth with disabilities. Together with our partners, we contributed to youth-led sessions that explored the Intersectionality-Based Policy Analysis (IBPA) tool in addressing SRHR challenges.

Innovative approaches to bridging the gap between disability and SRHR. Strengthening health systems to respond to evolving global and local threats through inclusive programming.

These discussions called for:

✔️ Institutionalizing intersectionality in health and legal frameworks

✔️ Strengthening inclusive policy and financing mechanisms

✔️ Increasing youth representation; especially those with intellectual disabilities in decision-making

✔️ Fostering cross-movement solidarity to ensure no one is left behind

Regional Make Way partners from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia showcased groundbreaking initiatives supporting inclusive, high-quality health services, safe spaces for advocacy, and meaningful youth participation in SRHR.

A key message that emerged throughout the conference was the urgent need to embed SRHR, especially family planning into Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

This concern was powerfully captured by Dr. Mohamed Sheikh, Director General of the National Council for Population and Development, who reminded participants.

“Universal health coverage (UHC) must include access to family planning, because SRHR is not optional but essential.”

His words echoed the collective call to action to ensure SRHR is not treated as an add-on, but as a core element of UHC, backed by inclusive policies, financing, and accountability mechanisms that leave no one behind.

We are proud to be part of a movement that champions inclusive SRHR and centers the voices of youth with disabilities at the heart of health policy dialogue.

26/06/2025

We’re thrilled to be part of the 8th Pan-African AYSRHR Scientific Conference, hosted by The Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) in partnership with The Ministry of Health

Join us tomorrow at 10AM as we present our abstract: “Assessing Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Quality (AAAQ) of SRH Services for Persons with Disabilities in Primary Health Care Facilities in Kenya.”

19/06/2025

Grateful to our partners, county officials, health workers, and community representatives for joining us in reviewing progress on disability inclusive SRHR services.

19/06/2025

In collaboration with the Nairobi City County health officials, facility in-charges from Lang’ata and Kibera public hospitals, policymakers, and persons with disabilities, we held a review meeting yesterday to the progress of policy commitments that followed our research on "The Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, and Quality (AAAQ) of SRH Services for People with Disabilities."

The review was anchored on the key recommendations presented during the dissemination of the research findings eight months ago.

The discussion highlighted significant actions already underway by the Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) including; infrastructure renovations to enhance physical accessibility in health facilities and the training of healthcare workers in basic Kenyan Sign Language to improve service delivery for patients with hearing impairments.

This collaborative effort underscores the importance of evidence-based advocacy and sustained engagement in achieving inclusive, equitable healthcare for persons with disabilities.

This joint effort among our partners Cheshire Disability Services Kenya, Make Way and us, reflects our shared commitment to promoting equitable and inclusive SRHR for persons with disabilities.

13/06/2025

Today, we are proud to see our CEO, Dr. Samson Gwer, recognized by Business Daily for his visionary leadership and firm commitment to transforming healthcare in Kenya and across Africa.

As a paediatric neurologist, award-winning researcher, and Executive Director at Afya Research Africa, Dr. Gwer has pioneered initiatives that expand access to quality healthcare for underserved communities. His groundbreaking work in child neurology and digital health innovation continues to shape policy, practice, and training across the continent.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Gwer, an exemplary figure whose dedication inspires our team and the broader medical community.

Read the full story⤵️

03/06/2025

“They remembered us.”

That’s what one of the girls whispered during our safe space session in Kibera this past Saturday.

For many girls with disabilities, managing periods or incontinence is a quiet, often painful struggle. Supplies are expensive. Support is scarce. And being overlooked feels like the norm.

But on this day, they were not invisible. We spent the morning learning, laughing, sharing stories and making sure no girl left empty-handed. We came with sanitary towels and diapers, not as an act of charity, but as an offering of care.

A small gesture, yes, but for them, it meant everything.
Cheshire Disability Services Kenya

28/05/2025

Join us this Menstrual Hygiene Day, May 28th, 2025, for a powerful virtual conversation led by passionate champions creating change in their communities.

🗓️ Date: Wednesday, 28th May 2025

⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

📍 Platform: Google Meet

🔗 Link: https://lnkd.in/dNfFRMTn

🎤 Speakers from Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Mathare, Kibera, and Seme will share insights on menstrual health, equity, and inclusion with sign language interpretation provided to ensure accessibility for all.
Cheshire Disability Services Kenya

22/05/2025

At a recent data review meeting held in Rarieda sub-county led by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and supported by our partner, Cheshire Disability Services Kenya, health facility in-charges were trained on inclusive data management to enhance health service delivery across the sub-county.

The review highlighted key challenges, including weak referral systems, low immunization coverage, and inconsistent uptake of maternity services, based on a comparison with 2023/2024 data.

These challenges were largely attributed to operational constraints such as inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, and limited community outreach.

While there were notable improvements in performance for the year ending March 2025, significant gaps remain. Addressing these is essential to achieving inclusive, accessible, and high-quality healthcare for all members of the community.

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Office 8, 6th Floor, 5th Avenue Office Suites, 5th Ngong Avenue
Nairobi
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+254729161340

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http://www.afyaresearch.org/

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