Kenya is aiming to expand its health partnership with the United Kingdom by prioritizing local production of vaccines, medicines, and health technologies. This was highlighted during the Kenya-United Kingdom Health Alliance (KUKHA) 5th Anniversary Conference held at King's College London.

Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, emphasized the need to transition from collaboration to sustainable partnerships that enhance health systems and improve health outcomes.

Achievements from Five Years of Collaboration

  • Introduction of PET-CT and molecular imaging at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital
  • Mobile endoscopy services targeting oesophageal cancer in Meru and Nyeri
  • Kenya-UK Breast Cancer Initiative in Kisii and Mombasa
  • Training of over 100 clinicians in oncology
  • Joint research and academic programs

Future Priorities

Dr. Oluga outlined Kenya's health reforms that create an integrated and sustainable system, including:

  • Implementation of Taifa Care and the Social Health Authority
  • Strengthening primary and community healthcare
  • Digital health transformation
  • National Equipment Service Programme
  • Investments in health products and technologies

He stressed the importance of a new partnership model that is country-led, co-designed, co-financed, and co-accountable, aligning investments with national priorities and building domestic capacity.

Kenya seeks to collaborate more deeply with the UK in areas such as transplantation, cancer care, clinical skills training, antimicrobial stewardship, genomics, precision medicine, health leadership, research, and industrialisation of health products.

Additionally, Dr. Oluga called for better coordination of partner support through a government-led framework supported by a common delivery scorecard to monitor commitments and accountability.

Conference Participants

The two-day conference themed "Working Together for Better Health for All" brought together government officials, university and hospital representatives, research institutions, foundations, and private sector partners from Kenya and the UK. Notable attendees included Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the UK Department of Health's Chief Scientific Advisor, Kenya's High Commission representatives, Lord Crisp, and leadership from King's College London.