Kenya is set to deepen its bilateral ties with Serbia as its seeks to further strengthen its health systems.
Speaking during a meeting with Serbian ambassador to Kenya Dragan Zupanjevac, health cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe said Kenya is already working on identifying areas for health cooperation especially on health workforce training.
He said the new areas of collaboration will include scaling up of training in health through trainings and exchange programmes, with a special focus on cardiology and oncology sub-specialities, telemedicine and telehealth between hospitals in Kenya and Serbia as well as opportunities for Serbian companies to establish manufacturing plants for medicines and vaccines in Kenya.
“We are grateful for the cordial relations between Kenya and Serbia. The recent donation of 40,000 Astra Zeneca vaccine doses from your government to support ongoing efforts to contain the coron avirus pandemic is a clear indication of the warm relations” said the health CS.
Speaking during the meeting, the Serbian ambassador said the government of Serbia is making deliberate efforts to enhance cooperation with Kenya in various sectors, including ICT, urban solutions and health. He said Serbia is currently offering scholarships for medical degrees to 10 Kenyans every year and hopes to tap into medical tourism besides supporting Kenya become a hub for specialized health services in East Africa.
Serbia is set to play host to the First World Conference slated for 26-28th March this year that will seek to find answers to the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic and associated health concerns with the health CS pledging to have Kenya represented in the forum.