Oluga calls for stronger collaboration as Smart Summit 2026 opens in Nairobi

The Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Ouma Oluga, has officially opened the 5th Smart Summit 2026 in Nairobi, urging stakeholders to deepen collaboration in leveraging technology to transform healthcare systems.

The summit, themed “Healthcare Technology for a Better World,” has convened participants from both the public and private sectors in Kenya and beyond to deliberate on innovative, technology-driven approaches aimed at improving healthcare delivery, efficiency, and accessibility.

In his keynote address, Oluga underscored the critical role of partnerships in driving innovation within the health sector.

He highlighted several priority areas that require coordinated attention, including investment in digital health infrastructure, strengthening governance and regulatory frameworks, capacity building for health workers, integration of health systems, and enhanced public-private collaboration.

“Advancing healthcare transformation requires deliberate and sustained partnerships across sectors,” he said.

“We must align our efforts in investment, governance, and capacity building to ensure that innovation translates into tangible improvements in service delivery for all citizens.”

He further noted that the integration of technology into healthcare systems presents an opportunity to address longstanding challenges such as limited access to services, inefficiencies in service delivery, and disparities in healthcare outcomes.

According to him, embracing digital solutions will be key to building resilient and responsive health systems.

Oluga reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting citizen-centred approaches in healthcare policy and implementation.

He emphasized the importance of inclusive policy development processes that take into account the needs of diverse populations, particularly underserved and vulnerable communities.

“We remain committed to policies that prioritise the citizen at the centre of healthcare delivery,” he said.

“Our focus is on ensuring that innovation enhances access, improves quality, and promotes efficiency across the entire health system.”

The Smart Summit 2026 is expected to serve as a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among stakeholders, with a focus on scaling up digital health solutions and fostering sustainable partnerships.

Participants at the summit are engaging in discussions around emerging technologies, data-driven healthcare models, and strategies for strengthening health systems through innovation. The event is also expected to generate recommendations that could inform future policy direction and investment in the health sector.