Kenya Advances Global Health Partnerships to Strengthen Universal Health Coverage

Nairobi, Kenya - February 2, 2026 - Kenya’s Ministry of Health is advancing strategic global partnerships to accelerate the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda and strengthen specialised healthcare delivery.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale today held high-level discussions with Dr Akbar Waljee, Executive Director of the University of Michigan Center for Global Health Equity (CGHE), to explore collaboration in priority areas critical to Kenya’s health-sector transformation.

The engagement focused on high-impact initiatives in cancer care, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for early disease detection and improved clinical outcomes, and a proposal to establish an AI-in-Health Centre of Excellence at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The proposed centre aims to equip Kenyan clinicians with advanced data science and AI-driven clinical skills.

Hon. Duale further proposed the joint development of Centres of Excellence in Cardiovascular Care and Sports Medicine to strengthen specialised services and position Kenya as a regional hub for advanced care and medical tourism. The Government also plans to leverage CGHE’s technical expertise to establish a Policy, Innovation, and Reciprocal Learning Institute, promoting South–South collaboration and shared learning.

To fast-track implementation, both parties agreed to constitute a Joint MoH–KNH–CGHE Working Group to develop a time-bound roadmap. The framework will build on ongoing initiatives, including the USD 6.5 million Uzima-DS programme, and align with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and national UHC priorities.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Director-General of Health Patrick Amoth, KNH Board Chairperson Dr Abbas Gullet, and other senior government and health-sector officials.