NEWS

 The East Africa Section of the International Missionary Benefit Society (IMS) is at a pivotal crossroads. The region—encompassing Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the DRC—is grappling with a “triple burden” of health threats: persistent infectious diseases, a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and climate-induced health.

 

Current situation

 

For you, our members serving on the frontlines of spiritual and social ministry and Members of the public, understanding this landscape is vital. Your health is the foundation of your mission. East Africa is currently besieged by three simultaneous health crises.

 

East Africa is currently besieged by three simultaneous health crises:

• Persistent Infectious Diseases
  Malaria remains the leading killer in Uganda and Tanzania. Meanwhile, the 2024–2025 Mpox outbreak has strained cross-border health surveillance, particularly between the DRC, Burundi, and Kenya.
• The NCD “Silent Killer” Hypertension, Type II Diabetes, and cervical cancer are rising faster in East Africa than in any other global region. In Kenya, NCDs now account for 39% of all deaths.
• Climate-Induced Pathogens
  Unprecedented flooding in the Lake Victoria basin has led to cyclical cholera outbreaks and an expansion of the “Meningitis Belt.” Let’s look at a few countries in line with the triple burden.

 

Some countries facing this triple burden

 

Kenya : the NCD Frontier

• The Silent Killer: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), specifically hypertension and diabetes, now account for 39% of all deaths in Kenya.
• Case Fatality Alert: During the 2024–2025 Mpox outbreak, Kenya reported a disproportionately high Case Fatality Rate of 1.78%, likely due to late diagnosis in transit-heavy regions.
• Infectious Burden: While NCDs rise, malaria remains a significant threat, and climate-linked cholera outbreaks continue to affect urban and peri-urban areas.

Uganda : community transmission risk

• Mpox Hotspot: Uganda faced sustained community transmission of Mpox, with over 7,600 cases reported by mid-2025.
• HIV Co-infection: A critical concern for mission workers is that 47.9% of Mpox-related deaths in Uganda occurred in individuals co-infected with HIV, highlighting the need for targeted support for vulnerable populations.

Tanzania et Rwanda : successes ans new threats

• Life Expectancy Wins: Rwanda has achieved the region’s largest improvement in life expectancy, gaining +20.9 years.
• Marburg Threat: Rwanda successfully managed its first Marburg virus outbreak in late 2024 (66 cases, 15 deaths), but the threat remains active across borders.
• Tanzania: While NCDs are rising, Tanzania has seen no Mpox-related deaths despite reporting 111 cases, suggesting effective early containment.

South Sudan: The Humanitarian Crisis

• Disease Predominance: Unlike its neighbors, South Sudan’s health burden is still dominated by communicable diseases.
• Cholera Peak: In early 2026, South Sudan reported some of the highest cholera case numbers in the region, exacerbated by mass displacement and poor sanitation.

 

The financial barrier to care

 

For the general public, the primary obstacle is not the absence of doctors, but the “catastrophic health expenditure.”

• Kenya: Despite the transition to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), out-of-pocket costs remain a deterrent for the poor.
• Uganda: Private-tier facilities offer world-class care but are financially inaccessible to 80% of the population.
• Tanzania: Recent efforts toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) still struggle with “last-mile” delivery in rural regions like Tabora and Kigoma.