Kenya and Japan have reaffirmed their strong bilateral partnership in the health sector, with renewed focus on advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthening health system resilience.
As part of the partnership, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Medical Services, Ouma Oluga, on Tuesday, February 3, 2025, held a consultative meeting with a Japanese delegation led by Matsuura Hiroshi at Afya House, Nairobi.
The discussions centred on Kenya’s ongoing health sector transformation agenda, anchored on the achievement of UHC.
How Kenya plans to strengthen local manufacturing of health products
A key priority highlighted was the strengthening of local manufacturing of health products and technologies to reduce reliance on external supply chains as well as enhance national and regional health security.
Both sides explored opportunities for collaboration in vaccine and biologics manufacturing, technology transfer, skills development, and health innovation. These areas align with Kenya’s strategic efforts to build sustainable local capacity for the production of critical health commodities.
The engagement also reaffirmed the longstanding and trusted partnership between the Government of Kenya and the Government of Japan in advancing health sector development.
Dr. Oluga expressed Kenya’s appreciation for Japan’s consistent support, noting that the discussions reflect a shared commitment to global health security as well as sustainable health outcomes.
The meeting also underscored the importance of aligning Kenya’s national health priorities with continental and global initiatives, including Africa’s agenda on local manufacturing of health products and technologies, championed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya.
Both parties committed to advancing structured cooperation through technical partnerships, capacity building, and institutional linkages between Kenyan and Japanese public and private sector actors.
The engagement concluded with a shared resolve to translate strong bilateral relations into practical, impactful, and sustainable initiatives that benefit Kenya, the region, and the global health community.
Other officials who also attended the meeting include Nazila Ganatara, Director, Health Products and Technologies; Omar Ahmed, Health Sector Coordination; Rabera Kenyanya of Kenya BioVax Institute, among others.
