Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga has called for enhanced collaboration between the government and private sector to drive sustainable investments aimed at strengthening Kenya’s health systems and addressing emerging healthcare needs.
Speaking during a high-level stakeholder engagement convened by the Safaricom Foundation and M-PESA Foundation at a Nairobi hotel, Dr. Oluga emphasized that philanthropic investments must align with the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda and support long-term, county-led solutions that can be scaled nationally.
He identified maternal and newborn health, as well as the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as priority areas requiring targeted investments.
The PS also called for increased support towards strengthening health infrastructure, diagnostics, medical equipment, oxygen supply systems, blood services, emergency referral networks and the health workforce.
“I proposed an integrated demonstration programme that combines fully functional maternal and newborn centres, NCD centres of excellence, digital connectivity, referral systems, equipment maintenance, commodity security and county co-financing,” said Dr. Oluga.
He highlighted the critical role of digital health in improving service delivery, noting that technology can enhance real-time referrals, telemedicine, ambulance coordination, equipment monitoring and continuity of care.
Dr Oluga urged partners to move beyond isolated infrastructure projects and instead invest in comprehensive health systems that integrate facilities, personnel, diagnostics, medicines, digital platforms, supply chains, maintenance, monitoring and evaluation.
He further invited the Safaricom Foundation and M-PESA Foundation to collaborate with the Ministry of Health over the next three to five years in supporting demonstration counties under every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere initiative, establishment of integrated maternal and newborn centres, NCD centres of excellence and digital health transformation.
The PS acknowledged the Foundations’ longstanding contribution to maternal and newborn health, including support for obstetric fistula management, community health initiatives and broader health system strengthening efforts.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deepening partnerships with the private sector to improve access to quality healthcare services across the country.
The engagement brought together stakeholders from government, development agencies, academia, civil society and the private sector to help shape future health investments and identify priority areas for maximum impact over the next decade.
Among those present were Member of the National Assembly Sabina Chege and Ministry of Health Directors Dr. Isaack Bashir (Family Health), Dr. Nazilla (Health Products and Technologies) and Dr. Nancy Njeru (Healthcare Financing).
By Michael Omondi
