The Government has intensified efforts to modernize Kenya’s healthcare system after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale held high-level talks with Dr. Konstantinos Deligiannis of GE Healthcare to explore new areas of collaboration aimed at improving access to quality and affordable healthcare.
The bilateral meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in health financing, digital transformation, advanced medical technologies, healthcare infrastructure and workforce development as Kenya continues implementing reforms under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
During the discussions, CS Duale said the government is working closely with global health technology partners to build a resilient, technology-driven healthcare system capable of delivering quality services to all Kenyans.
He noted that the ongoing reforms are anchored on the Social Health Authority (SHA), whose three financing pillars—the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund—are designed to expand access to healthcare while protecting families from catastrophic medical expenses.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the reforms are expected to strengthen primary healthcare services, improve financial protection and ensure more equitable access to treatment across the country.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the National Equipment Service Programme (NESP), which the Ministry of Health is undertaking in partnership with the Council of Governors to improve access to specialized medical equipment in public hospitals.
Under the programme, more than 420 specialized medical equipment units worth approximately Sh10 billion have already been deployed to over 240 health facilities across all 47 counties.
The initiative is being implemented through a combination of Fee-for-Service arrangements for Level 4, 5 and 6 hospitals, a Framework Agreement targeting Level 2 and 3 facilities, and Lease-to-Own financing models.
As the government prepares to expand the programme to lower-level health facilities, Duale invited GE Healthcare to partner with Kenya in increasing access to affordable medical technologies through innovative financing models, preferential pricing for public hospitals, technology transfer, local assembly of medical equipment and strengthened maintenance services.
He also proposed collaboration in supporting underserved counties with medical equipment and enhancing the training of biomedical engineers to ensure proper maintenance and sustainability of health technologies.
The discussions further explored integrating the National Equipment Service Programme with Kenya’s Digital Health Superhighway, a flagship digital health initiative expected to enable real-time tracking of medical equipment, predictive maintenance and improved accountability through integration with the Social Health Authority’s digital systems.
According to the Ministry of Health, the integration will help improve efficiency in equipment management, reduce downtime and ensure health facilities consistently deliver quality care.
CS Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparent and mutually beneficial partnerships that strengthen Kenya’s healthcare system and improve patient outcomes.
He said collaboration with GE Healthcare in specialized fields such as oncology, cardiology, radiotherapy and neurosurgery will help build local clinical expertise, establish centres of excellence and expand access to advanced healthcare technologies for Kenyans.
The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga and senior officials from the Ministry of Health, who reiterated the government’s commitment to leveraging innovation and strategic partnerships to accelerate the realization of Universal Health Coverage under the Taifa Care programme.
