During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2025, PATH’s President and CEO, Nikolaj Gilbert, met with Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary of Kenya’s State Department for Medical Services, to reaffirm and enhance the long-standing collaboration between PATH and the Government of Kenya. This meeting built on nearly three decades of partnership, focusing on advancing health systems in Kenya through key areas like health workforce development, vaccine manufacturing technology transfer, and the local production of essential health products.
The two leaders discussed the critical role of local innovation and manufacturing in strengthening Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure. Dr. Oluga emphasized the government’s commitment to sustainable health solutions and the importance of increasing domestic manufacturing capacity for health products. This would contribute to reducing reliance on imports and enhance the country’s ability to address its own health challenges more effectively.
Mr. Gilbert recognized Kenya’s leadership in healthcare reforms, particularly in health workforce expansion and vaccine production. He commended the country’s proactive approach in implementing policies that improve access to quality healthcare and in working towards self-sufficiency in health product manufacturing. PATH, with its technical expertise, is focused on supporting Kenya in its efforts to accelerate these reforms, providing assistance through knowledge exchange and technical support in areas like vaccine technology and essential health product production.
The meeting also saw the presence of Dr. Nanthalile Mugala, Chief of Africa Region, Caroline Moor Larson, Head of Operations at the Office of the President, and Carolyne Njuguna, Director of the East Africa Hub, highlighting the collaborative efforts across various sectors to ensure the success of these initiatives.
This strengthened partnership signals a promising future for Kenya’s healthcare system, with an emphasis on local innovation, sustainability, and self-reliance. As the collaboration continues, PATH aims to play a key role in helping the Kenyan government achieve its health goals and deliver improved outcomes for its citizens.
