Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening health cooperation with Cuba, with a focus on advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through shared expertise and innovation. In a high-level meeting held at Afya House in Nairobi, Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale and Cuban Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Ms. Inés Fors Fernández, discussed strategic areas of collaboration aimed at enhancing Kenya’s healthcare system.
Central to the discussions was the adoption of Cuba’s globally recognized community-based primary healthcare model. This approach, which emphasizes preventive and accessible healthcare at the grassroots level, is seen as a vital tool for Kenya as it scales up its community health programme. The collaboration aims to deliver quality health services to underserved and rural populations, improving health outcomes and reducing disparities across regions.
The meeting also explored potential cooperation in key emerging areas such as digital health, telemedicine, and technical knowledge exchange. By leveraging Cuba’s experience in these domains, Kenya seeks to strengthen its digital infrastructure and improve access to specialized medical services remotely, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, discussions included support in biotechnology to enhance local vaccine development and production, aligning with Kenya’s broader goal of health system resilience and self-reliance.
To formalize and streamline the partnership, Hon. Duale proposed the development of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU will establish a structured framework for bilateral health cooperation, encompassing service delivery, academic and technical exchange, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and health innovation. It is expected to outline clear mechanisms for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure mutual benefit and measurable progress.
Kenya acknowledged Cuba’s longstanding support in strengthening its health sector. Currently, 84 Cuban doctors are deployed across various Kenyan counties, providing specialized services and mentorship to local medical teams. In addition, 48 Kenyan doctors have benefitted from training opportunities in Cuba, with 12 presently undergoing further medical training. These joint training programmes have played a crucial role in addressing human resource shortages in the health sector, particularly in regions with limited access to specialized care.
The renewed dialogue reflects a shared vision between Kenya and Cuba to promote equitable, sustainable, and people-centred healthcare. Through this collaboration, both countries aim to harness their respective strengths to improve health outcomes and advance the global agenda for UHC.
Accompanying the Cabinet Secretary during the meeting were the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ms. Mary Muthoni, and the Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth. Their presence underscored Kenya’s strong institutional commitment to deepening bilateral health partnerships and enhancing the quality and accessibility of healthcare for all citizens.
