Kenya has allocated 30 acres of land and 5 million US Dollars to support the establishment of the WHOAFRO Regional Emergency Operations and Logistics Hub.
The initiative, which is part of the Operations Support and Logistics (OSL) pillar, aims to bridge a critical gap in public health emergencies.
Principal Secretary State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, and Adama Thiam, Head of Operations and Logistics Management at WHO-AFRO, had a productive meeting with Norwegian officials.
The officials were led by Ambassador for Global Health at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, John-Arne Rottingen.
The meeting was meant at advancing ghe critical endeavor.
Speaking at the meeting, PS Muthoni noted that the hub holds the promise of a brighter future for emergency response, not only in Kenya but also across the region.
Currently, WHO-AFRO is managing over 142 ongoing emergencies, including disease outbreaks and humanitarian crises, solidifying its role as the global hub for public health challenges.
Recognizing the significance of resilient health systems, countries must prioritize healthcare quality even in emergencies.
Historically, operations, supply chain management, and logistics have been underfunded, despite constituting over 70% of emergency response efforts.
“The establishment of this hub in Kenya promises not only to enhance regional coordination but also to become a center of excellence for emergency operations,” noted the Ministry of Health.
