Kenya and Ghana Strengthen UHC Collaboration Through Health Reforms and Digital Innovation
Nairobi, Kenya - - Kenya’s ongoing health sector reforms continue to position the country as a regional leader in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through digital health transformation, strengthened community-based care, and sustainable health financing aligned to the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale hosted a high-level bilateral meeting with Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, where the two countries exchanged lessons on primary healthcare reforms and UHC implementation.
The engagement forms part of strengthening South–South cooperation and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17 on global partnerships for sustainable development.
During the briefing, the CS highlighted the nationwide deployment of over 107,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), supported by digitised community health tracking systems that enhance service delivery, transparency, and accountability at household level.
He further noted that reforms at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) are improving efficiency in procurement and last-mile distribution of essential health commodities. Meanwhile, the Social Health Authority (SHA) has enrolled 29.7 million Kenyans, collected KES 142.78 billion in contributions, and disbursed KES 105 billion to healthcare providers—strengthening financial protection and provider sustainability.
Digitisation remains central to Kenya’s UHC agenda. The Digital Health Agency (DHA), established under the Digital Health Act, is ensuring interoperability, robust governance, and national oversight of digital health systems. To date, 10,277 health facilities have been onboarded, enhancing real-time accountability and supporting action against unqualified practitioners.
Through the National Equipment Services Programme (NESP), the Government is also decentralising specialised services, with 120 county facilities equipped to expand access to quality care and reduce avoidable referrals.
The meeting marked the start of a long-term Kenya–Ghana collaboration framework focusing on telemedicine, joint research, workforce exchange, pharmaceutical manufacturing, digital health innovation, and emergency preparedness.
Principal Secretaries Dr. Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Ms. Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards), Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, WHO Country Representative Dr. Neema Kimambo, and senior Ministry officials attended the meeting.