Religious and health leaders from all over Africa have come together in Nairobi for the Faith in Action Health Conference, an innovative interfaith initiative aimed at tackling two of the continent’s most urgent yet preventable health issues—maternal mortality and cervical cancer.
Hosted by the Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI), this two-day event unites Catholic bishops, Muslim scholars, Protestant and Hindu leaders, Seventh-day Adventist representatives, and top health experts to create faith-based solutions for improved health outcomes.
“As leaders of our communities, we must not only talk about dignity and life—we must actively protect it. This moment calls for more than just prayer; it calls for action,” declared Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, Archbishop of Nairobi and the event’s chief guest.
Building on the momentum from the 2024 Nairobi Convening on Faith and Science, this year’s conference goes beyond mere discussion, focusing on practical interventions. Key initiatives include expanding HPV vaccination, enhancing access to maternal care, and promoting early cervical cancer screening, especially in underserved areas where religious leaders can significantly influence health behaviors.
“Religious leaders hold the trust of millions. That trust must now be harnessed to save lives,” said Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J., Executive Director of AHETI. “We are transitioning from pulpits to public health campaigns.”
In Kenya, 342 women die for every 100,000 live births, and over 3,500 women lose their lives each year to cervical cancer. Yet, the uptake of the HPV vaccine remains below 30%, largely due to misinformation and cultural stigma. Faith communities, which reach over 90% of Africa’s population, can play a crucial role in reversing these alarming trends.
“We have witnessed the damage that myths and stigma can inflict,” said Dr. Hussein Iman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM). “Faith leaders must be integral to the solution.”
topics like faith-based health financing, how different faiths can work together for universal health coverage (UHC), and ways to weave faith-run health facilities into national healthcare systems. It will wrap up with the Faith in Action Medical Camp, taking place on May 16–17, 2025, at St. Francis Community Hospital in Kasarani. There, more than 1,000 underserved residents of Nairobi will have the chance to access free health services, including screenings and educational resources.
The conference will also delve into faith-based health financing, interfaith collaboration, and more, highlighting the essential role of faith in promoting health and well-being across the continent.
