Kenya, US sign agreements to boost healthcare, HIV Programme

Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US on Monday, aimed at developing a sustainability roadmap for Kenya's HIV programme.

President William Ruto witnessed the signing between the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the Ministry of Health, and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

The agreements, which include the joint proclamation for the operationalisation of the Kenya National Public Health Institute, will help the Kenyan Government achieve Universal Healthcare.

During his visit to the CDC Headquarters in Atlanta, Ruto praised the collaboration between Kenya and the CDC, stating that its impact, innovation, and focus have set a standard that transcends borders.

The President highlighted the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) as an example of the positive impact of effective partnerships between Kenyan and US organisations.

"The partnership between the CDC, the National Institutes of Health, and KEMRI, spanning seven research programmes, has led to significant scientific discoveries, notably the malaria vaccine, enhancing healthcare outcomes," Ruto noted.

He also discussed the importance of increasing grants to KEMRI to establish strong intellectual property and scientific entrepreneurship frameworks.

Transforming the Kenya-US Health Partnership, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta. https://t.co/6cRBf1RYQR

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 20, 2024

"This will support Kenya's focus on product development, a key component of our pharmaceutical and biomedical manufacturing sector, aligned with BETA priorities," Ruto added.

Accompanied by Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, President Ruto discussed ways to enhance US-Kenya health cooperation, focusing on plans to improve collaboration and expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

He praised the US government as a key ally in advancing Kenya's healthcare.

"The United States of America has been Kenya's true ally in healthcare, from infrastructure and pioneering research to tackling infectious diseases. We intend to escalate this journey of partnership, including the local manufacturing of vaccines, for the prosperity of all," Ruto said.

The US CDC has supported Kenya's Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in conducting surveillance for acute febrile illnesses and other key areas.

It has also helped strengthen the prevention and control of HIV and TB, providing technical and financial support through the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

"The Kenya-US CDC collaboration is a testament to the impact of united goals and teamwork in driving change. These partnerships have strengthened global health systems and safeguarded our communities," Ruto stated.

CS Nakhumicha lauded the move, noting that the US visit could not have come at a better time, as the world negotiates amendments to the International Health Regulations of 2005 and the New Pandemic Treaty to build consensus on how to coordinate prevention, detection, and response to infectious disease threats that know no boundaries.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States in Atlanta, Georgia on May 21, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

Ruto emphasised the broad scope of Kenya's collaboration with the CDC, noting that it goes beyond national defense and significantly enhances regional and global health security.

He highlighted the strengthened research, laboratories, surveillance systems, and emergency operation centres as key areas of this partnership.

The President mentioned that programs like Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training (FELTP) and Public Health Emergency Managers (PHEM) have already trained 800 professionals, expressing the goal to expand these programs to include more county and national health workers.

"To do this, we invite America's leading health training institutions such as the Perelman Center of Advanced Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Columbia, Duke, and Emory University in Atlanta to create exchange programmes with Kenyan universities," Ruto added.