Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has affirmed Kenya’s readiness to host the World Health Summit Regional Meeting (WHSRM) 2026, which will take place from April 27–29 at the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).
The summit, expected to draw over 2,000 delegates from more than 50 countries, will convene health ministers, senior policymakers, researchers, innovators, civil society actors, and representatives of multilateral institutions, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organisation, the African Union, and UNICEF.
CS Duale held a consultative meeting with Prof. Lukoye Atwoli, Dean of the Medical College, East Africa, at Aga Khan University and International President of WHSRM 2026, to align Kenya’s national health priorities with the objectives of the summit.
The Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ms Mary Muthoni, also attended the session.
Held under the theme ‘Reimagining African Health Systems: Innovation, Integration and Interdependence’, WHSRM 2026 seeks to foster regional engagement on health systems priorities and promote practical solutions that resonate across Africa and beyond.
Duale emphasised that the theme aligns with Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda and ongoing Primary Health Care reforms, providing an opportunity to highlight the country’s achievements in expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare and leveraging innovation in service delivery.
In his remarks, Prof. Atwoli described the summit as a milestone for Kenya and Africa, highlighting its role in spotlighting African-led solutions and contributing to global health policy.
“This is a significant milestone not only for AKU and Kenya but also for Africa’s health and development agenda. The summit will spotlight African-led solutions while shaping the broader global health conversation. It reaffirms our commitment to shaping a healthier, more equitable future through research and education,” he said.
Prof. Atwoli further underscored the need for stronger regional leadership in a rapidly evolving global health landscape.
“I believe it will be a platform for us to speak for Africa about our contribution to the global health environment,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Nairobi meeting will feature plenary sessions, policy dialogues, and technical workshops addressing health systems resilience, pandemic preparedness, digital health integration, equitable access to care, and sustainable financing for health workforce development.
Delegates are expected from governments, regional organisations, academic institutions, private sector actors, civil society networks, and development partners across Africa and globally.
Hosting WHSRM 2026 reinforces Kenya’s growing role as a hub for health diplomacy and international partnerships.
It also demonstrates the leadership of African institutions in convening forums that influence both continental and global health priorities, while fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and evidence-based solutions.
The World Health Summit Regional Meetings are annual gatherings organised by the World Health Summit Academic Alliance to elevate region-specific priorities within the global health agenda.
The meetings enable leaders and experts to exchange knowledge, co-design solutions, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that African perspectives are central to shaping resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems.
By Naif Rashid
