Strengthening Health Systems Through Kenya–World Bank Partnership
Nairobi, Kenya - - Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale hosted a World Bank delegation led by Vice President for the People Vice Presidency, Ms. Mamta Murthi, for bilateral consultations focused on strengthening health financing, primary healthcare, emergency preparedness, digital health, regulation and local manufacturing.
The discussions reviewed the Building Resilient and Responsive Health Systems (BREHS) and Kenya Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience (KHEPRR) projects, which are supporting primary healthcare, quality of care, patient safety and emergency preparedness across all 47 counties, including refugee-hosting and underserved communities. With all Implementation Partner Agreements signed, the focus is on accelerating implementation and delivering tangible results.
The CS highlighted progress under Taifa Care, with 32.6 million people, equivalent to 68% of the population, onboarded onto the Social Health Authority. A total of 11,197 healthcare providers have been contracted, while KSh 178 billion has been paid to providers for services delivered.
Discussions also focused on strengthening the Pharmacy and Poisons Board as the country advances towards WHO Maturity Level 3, alongside proposed World Bank support to extend digital connectivity to 2,500 health facilities in remote and underserved areas.
Local manufacturing remains another priority, with approximately 70% of health products and technologies currently imported. Hon. Duale highlighted efforts to expand domestic production through the Kenya Health Products and Technologies Local Manufacturing Strategic Plan and the opportunities presented by the country’s ratification of the African Medicines Agency Treaty.
The CS also sought support for the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere initiative, which is using targeted interventions and real-time data to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Three of the 20 high-burden counties have exited the list within six months of the initiative’s launch.
Hon. Duale reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with the World Bank through One Plan, One Budget and One Evaluation, ensuring investments are aligned with national health priorities and deliver accountable, measurable results for communities.