BY PHILLIP ORWA
Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni has called for renewed solidarity, co-investment, and tech transfer to sustain gains and drive UHC.
Speaking during the Pre-#TICAD9 round table with Japanese Parliamenterians, where she’s representing the Ministry of Health, Muthoni, said that Kenya had made significant gains in the fight against infectious diseases, with over 1.36 million people living with HIV now on lifesaving treatment—representing 98% of those diagnosed. Mother-to-child transmission has been nearly halved, dropping from 14% to 7.2% in the last five years.
The Principal Secretary added that Since 2018, malaria prevalence has reduced by 30%, while related deaths fell by 40% between 2022 and 2023, supported by the distribution of over 45 million insecticide-treated nets.
“Our progress against HIV, TB, and malaria demonstrates what is possible when global solidarity meets national leadership. 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 Universal Health Coverage.
Tuberculosis incidence has also declined by more than a third since 2015, with treatment success reaching 89%.” Said Muthoni.
PS Muthoni credited Kenya’s progress to strong domestic leadership and enduring global partnerships, particularly with Japan through TICAD, JICA, the Global Fund, and other bilateral collaborations.
President William Ruto revealed that Kenya had signed various development cooperation documents at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development, TICAD, in Yokohama City, Japan.
The President in a communication stated “Kenya has signed various Development Corporation Documents, they include the Statement of Intent on the Samurai Bond, a financial instrument issued by foreign entities in the Japanese capital markets, signed between our National Treasury and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance.
Our plan to access financing in the Japanese capital markets is a leap forward in our innovative policy of diversifying resource mobilisation for priority national development and transformation.
We also signed a Letter of Intent and Concept Note to Accelerate Access to Cefiderocol, a crucial antibiotic approved for effective treatment of bacterial pneumonia, in Kenya.”
The President noted that the agreements also provides for the supply of the medicine with support from the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Foundation.
Ruto said that the agreement to supply medicine with support from Global Antibiotic Research Development Foundations was signed between Kenya’s Ministry of Health and Shionogi and Co. Ltd of Japan, which specializes in pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing.
Also signed is a Memorandum of Cooperation on Human Resource Development between the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institution and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
