Kenya and the United Kingdom have pledged to strengthening health sector cooperation on research, clinical care, workforce training and innovation.
The initiative to be undertaken through the Kenya-UK Health Alliance, will be looking to ride on already ongoing initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes and building local capacity.
According to president William Ruto, these include the deployment of Kenya’s first mobile endoscopy unit for oesophageal cancer screening.
This has been developed through a partnership involving Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, the University of Manchester, and the Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
“The alliance has already brought together renowned institutions in both countries. For example, the partnership between Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, the University of Manchester, and Christie NHS Foundation Trust has supported the deployment of Kenya’s first mobile endoscopy unit to screen for oesophageal cancer,” said Ruto.Under the program other projects will includ emergency medical training in Kisii County, support programmes for breast cancer patients, and the establishment of a Diabetes Foot Centre of Excellence in Mombasa through collaboration with King’s College London.
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These efforts have introduced remote consultations and digital training platforms tailored to local health needs.
In paediatric care, partnerships led by Alder Hey Children’s Hospital have enabled over 340 heart surgeries in Kenya, with a growing number now performed exclusively by Kenyan professionals.
Research has also been a focal point. The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust collaboration contributed significantly to Kenya’s COVID-19 response, while the $25 million SAMBAI Cancer Grand Challenge is advancing cancer genomics research.
Future-looking projects such as BRITE Kenya aim to establish local manufacturing of vaccines and antivenoms in partnership with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, bolstering Kenya’s goal of becoming a regional medical hub.
The alliance supports Kenya’s broader push toward universal health coverage, with nearly 25 million people now registered under the Taifa Care programme, up from 8 million in October 2024.
