A high-level meeting between the Ministry of Health and AstraZeneca took place in Nairobi as part of efforts to enhance non-communicable disease (NCD) care in Kenya. The engagement brought together Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga and a delegation from AstraZeneca, led by the African Cluster Country President, to review current health programmes and explore deeper collaboration.
The discussions centered on scaling up interventions to address Kenya’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, asthma, and chronic kidney disease. The AstraZeneca team outlined several initiatives already underway in Kenya, notably Cancer Care Africa and Healthy Heart Africa, which aim to improve early diagnosis, treatment access, and awareness for various NCDs. Additional access programmes targeting respiratory and metabolic disorders were also highlighted.
Dr. Oluga expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership and emphasized the importance of such collaborations in strengthening public health systems. He pointed out that the Ministry is committed to creating a conducive policy environment that encourages multi-stakeholder engagement and shared responsibility in healthcare delivery. According to him, opening up the health sector to broader participation will help unlock innovative solutions tailored to the country’s needs.
The conversation also touched on policy and infrastructure support needed to implement NCD programmes more effectively across the country. Both sides acknowledged that while Kenya has made strides in primary healthcare, NCDs remain a rising challenge, particularly in underserved regions where early diagnosis and long-term management are limited.
Dr. Oluga emphasized that democratizing the health space by involving private sector partners, non-governmental organizations, and community-based initiatives will be crucial in building a resilient and inclusive health system. He noted that partnerships like this not only bring in technical expertise and resources but also align with the government’s broader goal of achieving universal health coverage.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to develop a joint roadmap that will identify priority areas and coordinate efforts to maximize impact. Both the Ministry and AstraZeneca expressed optimism that their continued cooperation will deliver tangible improvements in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of NCDs, particularly for vulnerable populations.
This engagement signals a continued shift towards collaborative, multi-sectoral approaches in tackling the health challenges affecting millions of Kenyans, as the country advances toward more sustainable and equitable healthcare outcomes.
