Nairobi: Health Cabinet Secretary (CS), Aden Duale, today met and held discussions with Global Fund Executive Director, Peter Sands, to strengthen strategic collaboration targeting the acceleration of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. During the meeting, Duale highlighted the significant progress achieved through Kenya’s longstanding partnership with the Global Fund, particularly in combating HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria.
According to Kenya News Agency, Duale noted that 1,359,781 Kenyans are currently on lifelong antiretroviral therapy, with AIDS-related deaths declining by 43 percent and TB-related deaths by 59 percent, 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 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.
