Health Cabinet Secretary (CS), Aden Duale, today met and held a discussion with Global Fund Executive Director, Peter Sands, in order to strengthen strategic collaboration targeting to accelerate Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
During the meeting, Duale underscored the significant gains realised through Kenya’s longstanding partnership with the Global Fund, particularly in combating HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria.
He noted that 1,359,781 Kenyans are currently on lifelong antiretroviral therapy, while AIDS-related deaths have declined by 43 per cent and TB-related deaths by 59 per cent, reflecting sustained investments in prevention, treatment, diagnostics and community-based interventions.
Anchored on Sustainable Development Goal 17 on Partnerships, the CS called for enhanced collaboration in priority areas, including strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports and boost regional production of essential medicines, vaccines and health technologies.
Within the framework of Kenya’s Taifa Care Model for UHC, Duale proposed aligning Global Fund support with ongoing health system digitisation and the new financing architecture under the Social Health Authority (SHA) to improve efficiency, accountability and equitable access to quality healthcare services.
The discussions further examined innovative financing mechanisms and sustainability pathways tailored to Kenya’s fiscal context, taking into account debt pressures, climate shocks, inflation and competing national priorities.
“Sustainability is a continuous journey anchored on strong domestic resource mobilisation,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Kenya is also advancing key reforms to strengthen primary healthcare, including onboarding over 107,000 Community Health Promoters and reinforcing the capacity of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to ensure timely last-mile delivery of medicines and health commodities.
Through strengthened partnerships, prudent financing and system-wide reforms, Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient, self-reliant and people-centred health system.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Ms Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary for the National Treasury Dr Chris Kiptoo, Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, and other senior government officials.
By Michael Omondi
