Kenya - WHO Forge Stronger Tobacco Control Partnership Amid COP10 in Panama City
Panama City ,2024 During the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)in Panama City, Kenya and the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborated to reinforce tobacco control efforts. Principal Secretary,State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni met with Senior WHO officials led by Dr. Rüdiger Krech, Director of the WHO Health Promotion Department, the meeting focused on bolstering cooperation in this critical area.
The PS Highlighted WHO's vital support for Kenya's alternative livelihoods program, which has successfully transitioned 5000 farmers from tobacco to iron-rich bean crops.
She emphasized Kenya's intent to review the Tobacco Control Act and Regulations to ensure their effectiveness, showcasing a commitment to robust tobacco control measures.
Furthermore, the PS spotlighted Kenya's proactive shift towards preventive and promotive healthcare, particularly through the utilization of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) for tobacco cessation activities. Both parties recognized the pressing need to enhance laboratory technical capabilities and infrastructural capacity to address emerging challenges posed by novel tobacco products.
In alignment with Kenya's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) roadmap, WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these initiatives, signaling a unified approach towards achieving comprehensive tobacco control goals.