Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has welcomed a high-level delegation from the German Bundestag, led by Mechthild Heil, for discussions on strengthening Kenya-Germany health cooperation.
The delegation supports the Global Fund’s 8th Replenishment
— a global framework driving the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria
while advancing progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3: ending the
three diseases as public health threats.
“Kenya’s health sector reforms under the Taifa
Care Model, with a focus on the Social Health Authority, represent a
transformative initiative scaling up access to quality healthcare nationwide,”
Duale stated.
He emphasized the government’s investment in
digital health systems designed to promote transparency, efficiency, and
accountability in service delivery.
The Cabinet Secretary further highlighted
integration, coordination, and value for money as guiding principles in
implementing health reforms, noting that the Global Fund’s priorities align
closely with those of Gavi, PEPFAR, and national investments.
“These efforts aim to strengthen laboratory
networks, disease surveillance, and digital innovations from the community to
the referral level,” he said.
The discussions also extended to the Kenya
Biovax Institute, focusing on equipment sharing, technology transfer, and
capacity development. Duale praised German partners for their crucial role in
accelerating local vaccine production and research — key drivers of Kenya’s
health security and sustainability.
He affirmed that Kenya continues to meet its
20% co-financing requirement under Global Fund guidelines, committing USD 593.3
million under the Fifth Administration to sustain HIV, TB, malaria, and
community health programs.
Duale reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to
national and global health goals, citing Kenya’s progress in reducing new HIV
infections and expanding access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy.
Present during the meeting were Principal
Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga, Director-General Dr. Patrick Amoth, KEMSA CEO Dr.
Waqo Ejersa, and Bundestag members Hon. Philipp Hoffmann and Hon. Dr.
Carsten Brodesser, among other dignitaries.
The Global Fund is a worldwide partnership
aimed at defeating AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to ensure a healthier, safer,
and more equitable future for all.
The partnership has helped save over 70
million lives, reduced the combined death rate from AIDS, TB, and malaria by
63%, and significantly increased life expectancy in low- and middle-income
countries.
Globally, the Fund provides 26% of all
international financing for HIV programs, 73% for TB programs, and 59% for
malaria programs.
It also strengthens countries’ health
systems by improving quality of care, data tracking, accountability,
governance, and service delivery.
By reducing the burden of HIV, TB, and malaria, the Global Fund helps free up capacity in health systems to address other public health priorities, saving lives and building resilience to prevent, identify, and respond to future health threats.
