Kenya and Japan have renewed their commitment to building resilient healthcare systems, reaffirming their shared vision through strengthened bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
The renewed pledge was made during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).
The bilateral talks were chaired by Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Japan’s Minister of State for Health Care Policy, Hon. Minoru Kiuchi, where both parties emphasized the importance of translating their vision into actionable programs that benefit communities, healthcare facilities, and research institutions alike.
Kenya acknowledged Japan’s longstanding support in key areas such as infectious disease control, health security, medical technology, and human resource development.
Additionally, Japan has played a vital role in advancing universal health coverage (UHC) across the continent through the Africa Health and Wellbeing Initiative (AfHWIN).
Looking ahead, Kenya is seeking to deepen its collaboration with Japan in several emerging areas, including:
- Transfer of health innovation and medical technology
- Strengthening climate change resilience in health systems
- Tackling non-communicable diseases and aging populations
- Supporting sustainable healthcare financing
CS Duale expressed sincere gratitude to the Government and People of Japan for their consistent partnership, noting that Kenya is firmly committed to enhancing cooperation with Japan on global health issues.
The Ministry of Health also shared updates during a Pre-TICAD 9 Round Table with Japanese Parliamentarians, where Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, represented Kenya.
PS Muthoni highlighted the country’s notable progress in combating HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, attributing success to strong national leadership and sustained global partnerships, especially through TICAD.
“Our progress against HIV, TB, and malaria demonstrates what is possible when global solidarity meets national leadership,” PS Muthoni said.
“We must renew our commitment through co-investment, technology transfer, and sustained partnerships. We need concerted efforts for a future free from infectious diseases and with universal health coverage.”
She also emphasized the importance of safeguarding these hard-won gains, calling for unified and continued action in the fight against infectious diseases.
The Kenya-Japan health cooperation remains a cornerstone of broader development goals under TICAD, with both nations signaling a shared determination to create healthier, more resilient societies across Africa.
