By Brenda Asugu
Nairobi, Kenya — April 30, 2025
Religious and health leaders from across Africa have converged in Nairobi for the groundbreaking Faith in Action Health Conference, a historic interfaith effort aimed at tackling maternal mortality and cervical cancer—two of the continent’s most pressing but preventable health issues.
The two-day conference, hosted by the Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI), has drawn a powerful coalition of Catholic bishops, Muslim scholars, Hindu and Protestant clerics, Seventh-day Adventist representatives, and global health experts to forge a united front in saving lives.
“As shepherds of our communities, we must not only preach about dignity and life—we must protect it. This moment demands more than prayer; it demands action,” declared Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, Archbishop of Nairobi and the event’s chief guest, during the opening session.
Building on the momentum of the 2024 Nairobi Convening on Faith and Science, the conference shifts from dialogue to action, focusing on practical interventions such as expanding HPV vaccination, improving maternal health services, and scaling up cervical cancer screening—particularly in underserved areas where faith leaders hold significant influence.
“Religious leaders have the trust of millions. That trust must now be used to save lives,” emphasized Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J., Executive Director of AHETI. “We are moving from pulpits to public health campaigns.”
Kenya remains one of the countries hardest hit by these health crises, reporting 342 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Kenyan women, claiming over 3,500 lives annually. Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine, uptake remains below 30%, hampered by misinformation and limited access.
With over 90% of Africa’s population identifying with a faith tradition (Pew Research Center, 2022), religious leaders are being recognized as essential partners in transforming health outcomes.
“We have seen the harm that myths and stigma can cause,” said Dr. Hussein Iman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM). “Faith leaders must be part of the solution—championing awareness, acceptance, and access.”
Conference discussions are centering on faith-based health financing, interfaith efforts for universal health coverage, and integrating faith-run health institutions into national health systems.
The conference is aims at achieving Concrete commitments by religious institutions to support vaccination, screening, and maternal care ,closer collaboration between faith-based and government health systems
Resource mobilization to strengthen faith-run healthcare facilities, Interfaith partnerships aimed at achieving universal health coverage (UHC)
Following the conference, AHETI will host the Faith in Action Medical Camp on May 16–17 at St. Francis Community Hospital in Kasarani, where over 1,000 underserved Nairobi residents will receive free health services including screenings, consultations, and health education.
Organizers hope the conference will spark a movement that transcends faith lines and borders—placing health equity and compassion at the heart of religious leadership.