Kenya strengthens sustainable wheelchair services and local manufacturing
Kenya strengthens sustainable wheelchair services and local manufacturing
Nairobi, Kenya - - The Ministry of Health is advancing efforts to establish a sustainable, Government-led wheelchair service delivery system to expand access to quality assistive technology and strengthen rehabilitation services across the country.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga chaired a consultative meeting bringing together wheelchair service providers, local manufacturers, development partners and rehabilitation leaders to explore practical solutions for addressing Kenya’s estimated unmet need of approximately 550,000 wheelchairs.
The meeting reviewed ongoing initiatives, existing challenges and opportunities for stronger collaboration in building a sustainable wheelchair service system that improves access to appropriate assistive technology while promoting local innovation and manufacturing.
Discussions focused on expanding local manufacturing and assembly of affordable, quality wheelchairs and creating an enabling policy and investment environment for manufacturers, including addressing taxation on wheelchair components and reducing production costs.
Stakeholders also discussed strengthening the Social Health Insurance Fund benefits package to improve access to wheelchairs and related rehabilitation services, increasing public awareness to reduce disability-related stigma and promote inclusion, and improving coordination, data management and partnerships to support planning, service delivery and accountability.
The meeting underscored that wheelchair provision goes beyond supplying a device and requires comprehensive services covering assessment, prescription, fitting, user training, maintenance, repair and follow-up to ensure users receive appropriate support and achieve better outcomes.
Dr. Oluga reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with stakeholders to develop sustainable, locally driven solutions that strengthen rehabilitation services, support local industry and expand access to appropriate assistive technology and comprehensive wheelchair services.
He noted that the interventions align with the Government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage and advancing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
The Principal Secretary highlighted progress under the ATscale Kenya Project, through which the Ministry has trained 218 rehabilitation professionals using the World Health Organization Wheelchair Service Provision Packages and facilitated the distribution of 1,000 wheelchairs through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority to county and national referral facilities.
The Project has also supported the strengthening of national policies, service delivery systems and coordination mechanisms for assistive technology.
Dr. Oluga further highlighted the Kenya Health Products and Technologies Manufacturing Strategy 2026–2030 as a key framework for advancing local production of health products and technologies, including assistive products.
He encouraged local wheelchair manufacturers to leverage the Strategy to expand production capacity, improve product quality, foster innovation and enhance the affordability and availability of quality wheelchairs across the country.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that expand access to quality assistive technology, strengthen rehabilitation services and promote local manufacturing and innovation to ensure no Kenyan is left behind in accessing essential health services.
Present were Director of Curative Services Dr. Andrew Toro; Head of the Division of Clinical Services Dr. Saleh Bardad; Head of Rehabilitative Services Ms. Irene Gichohi; ATscale Kenya Project Manager Nicholas Nyamweya; Clinton Health Access Initiative Senior Deputy Country Director Rosemary Kihoto and Project Manager for Assistive Technology Kennedy Mugambi; APDK Chief Executive Officer Alex Kaluyu; Bethany Kids AT Project Manager Joab Matumbai; Hope Mobility Kenya Programs Manager Marygorreti Kilonzo and Production Manager Alexander Kering; Motivation Charitable Trust Program Officer Charles Kanyi; and Walkabout Foundation Country Manager Paul Maina.