Kenya’s Ministry of Health is promoting strategic international alliances to bolster specialized healthcare delivery and expedite the nation’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.
Dr. Akbar Waljee, Executive Director of the University of Michigan Center for Global Health Equity (CGHE), and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale had high-level talks today to examine potential cooperation in priority areas that are essential to Kenya’s transformation of the health system.
High-impact cancer care initiatives, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for better clinical outcomes and early illness diagnosis, and a plan to create an AI-in-Health Center of Excellence at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) were the main topics of discussion throughout the interaction. The proposed center will provide advanced data science and AI-driven clinical capabilities to Kenyan clinicians.
In order to improve specialized services and establish Kenya as a regional center for cutting-edge care and medical tourism, Hon. Duale also suggested the collaborative creation of Centers of Excellence in Cardiovascular Care and Sports Medicine. In order to foster South-South cooperation and shared learning, the government also intends to use CGHE’s technological know-how to create a Policy, Innovation, and Reciprocal Learning Institute.
In order to expedite implementation, the parties decided to form a Joint MoH–KNH–CGHE Working Group to create a timeline. The framework will complement current efforts, such as the USD 6.5 million Uzima-DS program, and be in line with national UHC priorities and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
KNH Board Chairperson Dr. Abbas Gullet, Director-General of Health Patrick Amoth, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, and other high-ranking government and health sector representatives attended the meeting.
