Duale, Global Fund Hold Talks to Fast-Track Universal Health Coverage

Kenya is seeking to deepen its partnership with the Global Fund as part of efforts to accelerate the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday held high-level talks with the Fund’s Executive Director, Peter Sands, to explore ways of strengthening strategic collaboration.

The CS said Kenya has recorded major gains through its long-standing partnership with the Global Fund, especially in the fight against HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Currently, more than 1.35 million Kenyans are on lifelong antiretroviral therapy, while AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 43 per cent and TB-related deaths by 59 per cent.

Duale said the government now wants to build on these achievements by strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports and expand regional production of essential medicines, vaccines and health technologies.

Under Kenya’s Taifa Care UHC model, the Cabinet Secretary proposed aligning Global Fund support with the ongoing digitisation of health systems and the new financing structure under the Social Health Authority to improve accountability, efficiency and access to care.

The meeting also reviewed new financing and sustainability options that take into account Kenya’s current economic pressures, including debt, inflation and climate-related shocks. Duale noted that long-term sustainability will depend on strong domestic resource mobilisation.

Kenya is also rolling out key reforms to strengthen primary healthcare, including the recruitment of more than 107,000 Community Health Promoters and improved capacity at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority to ensure timely delivery of medicines and supplies.

The talks were attended by senior government officials, including Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni, National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo, and Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth.