Kenya and Belgium have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening healthcare cooperation, with a renewed focus on improving medical waste management and accelerating bio-manufacturing training initiatives. A bilateral meeting held in Nairobi brought together senior health officials from Kenya and the Belgian Ambassador to review progress on two key health projects.
The meeting centered on the ongoing Medical Waste Microwave Project, an initiative designed to improve the handling and disposal of healthcare waste in Kenya. This project plays a critical role in minimizing the risks posed by infectious waste and its impact on public health and the environment. Phase 1 of the project, which concluded in mid-2021, was successfully implemented in several major hospitals and regional health facilities across the country. These include Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and regional medical centers in Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Embu, Nyeri, Machakos, and Kisii.
With the foundational success of Phase 1, preparations are now underway for Phase 2, which aims to expand the program to an additional 15 counties. This expansion is expected to further strengthen the capacity of local health institutions to safely manage medical waste, thereby contributing to a cleaner and safer healthcare environment. The project reflects a shared commitment to environmental health and infection prevention, both of which are core pillars of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
Alongside waste management, the bilateral talks focused on advancing the development of the KEMRI-Unizima Bio-Manufacturing Training Hub, a landmark initiative to build Kenya’s capacity in local production of biopharmaceuticals. This initiative is seen as a strategic move to reduce the country’s dependency on imported medical products and foster homegrown innovation in life sciences.
Discussions emphasized the finalization of key operational elements of the training hub, including the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kenyan and Belgian governments. The MoU will outline collaborative frameworks for research, training, and technology transfer. Additionally, both parties are working on mobilizing financial resources to support infrastructure development and program rollout.
A critical component of the project involves staff training placements in Belgium. These international training opportunities will equip Kenyan researchers, technicians, and scientists with the skills required to operate cutting-edge bio-manufacturing technologies. Meanwhile, progress continues on building and equipping local facilities to host the training programs and eventual production operations.
The KEMRI-Unizima hub is expected to play a pivotal role in the long-term development of Kenya’s pharmaceutical sector. It aims to enhance national self-reliance in medical supplies, improve access to life-saving treatments, and create employment opportunities within the biotech industry.
These projects underscore the strong and evolving partnership between Kenya and Belgium in the field of health development. They align with Kenya’s broader goal of strengthening health systems, expanding access to quality care, and building resilient public health infrastructure. As Kenya moves closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage, such international collaborations are proving instrumental in addressing systemic gaps and ensuring sustainable healthcare delivery across the country.
