Kenya is strengthening cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to expand access to essential healthcare for migrants and refugees while improving surveillance against cross-border public health threats.
The partnership was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and an IOM delegation led by Deputy Director General for Management and Reform, International Development, SungAh Lee.
The meeting focused on migration health, inclusive healthcare delivery, disease surveillance and emergency preparedness at Kenya’s border entry points.
One of the key issues discussed was the integration of eligible migrants and refugees into Kenya’s national healthcare system through registration and enrolment under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The discussions also explored a proposed flat-rate arrangement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to facilitate access to SHA services and address financial and administrative barriers preventing migrants and refugees from accessing healthcare.
Duale said strengthening the country’s healthcare system requires ensuring that population movement does not prevent individuals from accessing essential medical services.
The two sides also highlighted the importance of improving disease surveillance and emergency preparedness at airports, seaports and ground border crossings.
According to the Ministry of Health, building the capacity of Port Health Officers and county health teams remains critical in detecting and responding to infectious disease threats.
The meeting also acknowledged IOM’s technical support to Kenya’s Ebola preparedness and response through the national Incident Management Structure.
Following the discharge of the last Ebola patient, Kenya had entered Day Two of the 42-day countdown towards declaring the country Ebola-free, provided no new cases are reported.
Other areas of IOM support include Population Mobility Mapping, gap assessments at selected Points of Entry, development of infectious disease Standard Operating Procedures, the All-Hazards Plan and the Port Health Strategic Plan.
The interventions are expected to strengthen disease surveillance, improve emergency response and enhance operational preparedness across the country’s border facilities.
The discussions further explored how migration health programmes could align with the government’s Shirika Plan, particularly in supporting refugee inclusion and the transition towards integrated settlements and municipalities.
The Ministry said integrating refugee health services into national and county healthcare systems would promote continuity of care and ensure equitable access to essential medical services.
Both parties identified migration-inclusive health policies, cross-border disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and specialised training for Port Health Officers and county health personnel as priority areas for expanded cooperation.
Collaboration with the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) will also support the use of population mobility data in public health surveillance and policy development.
Duale reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to implementing joint interventions under the Fifth Administration’s One Plan, One Budget, One Monitoring and Evaluation framework.
The initiatives are expected to support the government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and the Shirika Plan.
Kenya and IOM have maintained a longstanding partnership dating back to 1982, with both sides expressing commitment to strengthening cooperation through coordinated programmes and sustainable health system interventions.
Duale was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga, Acting Director General of the Kenya National Public Health Institute Dr Maureen Kamene, Director of Public Health and Sanitation Dr Stephen Muleshe and other Ministry of Health officials.
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