Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health, Aden Duale, has held a consultative meeting with the PATH Kenya delegation led by Country Director, Ms. Carolyne Njuguna, to strengthen collaboration in advancing Kenya’s health priorities and accelerating Universal Health Coverage.
The discussions focused on expanding engagement with civil society through evidence-based advocacy, harnessing Artificial Intelligence to strengthen health systems, and leveraging PATH’s technical expertise to support sustainable, government-led health programmes.
Duale highlighted ongoing health sector reforms, including the forthcoming operationalisation of the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre to strengthen emergency medical response, implementation of the National Equipment Service Programme to decentralise specialised services, Taifa Care, digital health reforms and the nationwide expansion of the Community Health Promoters programme.
He also noted improvements at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, whose order fill rate has risen to 90 percent, strengthening the availability of essential medicines and health commodities in public facilities.
Further, the CS recognised PATH’s more than 30 years of partnership with Kenya, spanning infectious disease control, digital health, pharmaceutical manufacturing, health systems strengthening, and integration of non-communicable diseases into primary healthcare.
The meeting explored further collaboration in establishing Primary Care Networks, sustaining routine immunisation gains, strengthening disease surveillance and emergency preparedness, and supporting sustainable government-led vaccine financing.
Likewise, the discussions also considered measures to reinforce health security amid the regional Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease outbreak.
“I acknowledge and welcome PATH’s commitment to support implementation of the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere initiative, beginning in Kajiado County, through technical assistance, evidence-based policy support, advocacy and stronger primary healthcare systems to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes,” expressed Duale.
Meanwhile, the CS reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to structured, long-term partnerships aligned with national priorities, innovation, and the development of resilient health systems that deliver equitable, quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ms. Mary Muthoni, Director of Health Sector Coordination, Dr. Omar Albush, Kenya BioVax Institute CEO, Mr. Wesley Rono, Head of the National Vaccines and Immunization Programme, Dr. Rose Jalang’o, National Syndemic Diseases Control Council CEO, Mr. Douglas Bosire, among senior Ministry officials.
By Michael Omondi
