Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called for stronger Kenya–Japan collaboration in health through public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Duale said the PPPs are critical to building resilient health systems and boosting economic growth.
He was speaking in Japan on Tuesday during the TICAD 9 thematic event under the government of Japan's initiative, 'African Health and Well-Being Initiative' (AfHWIN).
Duale said Kenya and Japan have enjoyed a long-standing fruitful partnership in the health sector, with tangible results in areas such as universal health coverage, maternal health, emergency care infrastructure, and medical technology.
“The health sector is not merely a service, it is a driver of economic growth, a foundation of social stability and a critical enabler of human capital development,” Duale said.
He praised Japan’s support through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“Through JICA, we have seen transformative support in strengthening primary health care, upgrading medical infrastructure, deploying cutting-edge diagnostic technology, and building capacity of our health care workforce," he said.
Duale cited ongoing partnerships in universal health coverage, where “Japanese expertise and technology have complemented Kenya’s reforms in financing, service delivery and health information systems.”
He stressed that PPPs were “not only an alternative but a necessity."
"They enable mobilisation of capital for large-scale health infrastructure and technology. They help in the transfer of knowledge and innovation from the private sector to the public health delivery."
Duale added that collaborations between local manufacturers and Japanese companies can accelerate production of essential medical commodities and digital health tools, hence reducing imports and improving our supply chain resilience.
The CS outlined Kenya’s strategic priorities for cooperation with Japan, including sustainable financing, climate-resilient infrastructure, and co-investment in green health facilities.
“We must leverage Japan’s health financing initiatives, the Global Health Strategy Fund, the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development,” he said.
"Together we can scale up innovations and align them with our Social Health Authority rollout, our One Health AMR preparedness and health security.”
Duale urged all stakeholders to “co-create the future of health and economic growth by leveraging African potential and Japanese innovation,”.
He added that Kenya stood ready to work “hand-in-hand with Japan and our African brothers and neighbors” to build sustainable systems.
“Health is the foundation upon which we build very prosperous and resilient societies,” Duale said.
"By harnessing the collective strength of governments, the private sector, innovators and development partners, we can create a future where no one is left behind.”
