Kenya and Finland have strengthened their partnership with a focus on enhancing the country’s health systems and primary care. The collaboration, which aims to improve the delivery of healthcare services, reflects both nations’ commitment to driving people-centered health outcomes.
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale hosted a Finnish delegation led by Mr. Jarno Syrjälä, the Deputy Minister for International Trade in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. The delegation visited Kenya to explore new areas of cooperation aimed at strengthening Kenya’s healthcare systems and advancing primary health care, a crucial component of the country’s health agenda.
During the discussions, Hon. Duale emphasized the importance of deepening the Kenya-Finland partnership to drive shared health priorities. Both countries discussed aligning their efforts to maximize the impact on health outcomes for the Kenyan population, particularly focusing on maternal and newborn care. This collaboration is a significant step towards realizing Kenya’s broader health goals, including the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality rates and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The partnership between Kenya and Finland has been ongoing for years, with Finland providing steadfast support to Kenya’s health sector. Through bilateral programs, technical expertise, and capacity building, Finland has played an instrumental role in strengthening Kenya’s health systems. This cooperation has led to improved healthcare infrastructure, increased access to essential services, and capacity building for Kenyan healthcare professionals.
One of the key initiatives highlighted during the meeting was the EUR 19.37 million VAMED Project, which has made significant strides in supporting Kenya’s health systems. The VAMED Project is helping supply turnkey medical equipment and refurbish maternal and newborn care units at 20 health facilities across 12 counties. This initiative will directly contribute to reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates, addressing a longstanding challenge in the country’s health system. The refurbishment of these units is a step forward in improving healthcare delivery, ensuring better health outcomes for mothers and children.
The project is closely aligned with Kenya’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), a strategic government initiative aimed at addressing socio-economic disparities and ensuring equitable access to essential services across the country. The VAMED Project’s support in improving maternal and newborn care directly contributes to Kenya’s broader UHC goals by enhancing the quality of healthcare services and making them more accessible to the underserved populations.
Hon. Duale acknowledged Finland’s contributions to the advancement of the health sector in Kenya and expressed his appreciation for the continued collaboration. He also emphasized the importance of building on this partnership to ensure the successful implementation of health initiatives that will have a lasting impact on the population.
In addition to the VAMED Project, the meeting also included discussions on further strengthening collaboration between the two countries in areas such as medical research, capacity building for health professionals, and the introduction of innovative health technologies. Public Health Principal Secretary Ms. Mary Muthoni and Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth also attended the meeting, underscoring the importance of multi-stakeholder involvement in the efforts to improve Kenya’s health systems.
Overall, the Kenya-Finland partnership represents a model of international cooperation focused on addressing critical health challenges and advancing primary healthcare systems for the benefit of the Kenyan people. The continued collaboration between the two nations is expected to have a transformative impact on Kenya’s health landscape in the coming years.
