Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, has reaffirmed Kenya’s partnership with Merck in the ongoing effort to eliminate schistosomiasis and strengthen the country’s public health systems.
During a high-level meeting with Merck’s leadership team, Ms. Muthoni praised the company’s long-term commitment to improving healthcare access in Kenya. She acknowledged Merck’s sustained donation of praziquantel, a key drug used in the treatment of schistosomiasis, which has enabled millions of Kenyans to receive timely treatment. The initiative has significantly contributed to reducing the disease’s prevalence by more than 50 percent between 2021 and 2023.
The Principal Secretary highlighted that Merck’s continued investment in the local production of essential medicines is a critical milestone for Kenya’s health sector. She lauded the company’s collaboration with Universal Corporation Limited in the manufacturing of paediatric praziquantel, emphasizing that local production enhances Kenya’s self-reliance and reduces dependency on imports.
Beyond schistosomiasis, Ms. Muthoni also commended Merck’s broader role in supporting public health initiatives, including efforts to address non-communicable diseases. She noted that such partnerships are central to Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, ensuring that citizens across all regions have access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
Both the Ministry of Health and Merck reaffirmed their mutual commitment to deepen collaboration in three priority areas — local pharmaceutical manufacturing, digital health innovation, and community-based disease prevention programs. These initiatives are expected to strengthen healthcare delivery systems, enhance access to medical solutions, and support Kenya’s long-term goal of eradicating neglected tropical diseases.
Merck’s delegation, led by Herald Nusser, Head of Global Health and Health Equity, expressed the company’s readiness to continue supporting Kenya’s public health vision through innovation, research, and equitable access to medicines.
The meeting underscored a shared vision of a healthier, schistosomiasis-free Kenya and highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in building resilient health systems capable of addressing both infectious and chronic diseases.
