Kenya is pushing for a more sustainable way of financing healthcare, with the government seeking to link investment in the sector to economic growth, productivity and stronger national health systems.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale joined National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and other health and finance leaders from around the world for a high-level ministerial dialogue on health co-investment and sustainable healthcare financing.
The meeting was jointly convened by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of State.
Discussions focused on how countries can raise more money locally for healthcare, attract private investment and develop financing models that can keep health systems running even during economic and other challenges.
Duale outlines Kenya’s health financing reforms
Duale highlighted the health financing changes being implemented under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), including the Social Health Authority (SHA).
He pointed to the three funds under SHA — the Primary Healthcare Fund, Social Health Insurance Fund, and Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund — as part of efforts to expand access to healthcare while reducing the amount households have to pay from their pockets.
The CS said Kenya needs to move away from fragmented and unpredictable funding of health programmes and instead have investments that are better coordinated and tied to the country’s wider health system.
He called for greater accountability in health financing, saying investments should be measured against the results they deliver to patients and communities.
Duale also said Kenya can attract more private capital into healthcare if investors have predictable and clear frameworks to work with.
He pointed to potential deeper engagement with the U.S. Development Finance Corporation and other strategic partners, alongside increased domestic financing.
Global partners join health financing talks
The meeting brought together representatives from the US government, African Union, international financial institutions, Global Fund, development partners and private-sector organisations.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga also attended the discussions.
The talks come as Kenya continues to implement changes to its health financing system while seeking to make Universal Health Coverage more sustainable.
The government says stronger domestic financing, combined with private-sector investment and support from strategic partners, will be important in ensuring that health programmes can be maintained and expanded over the long term.
The focus on investment also reflects a broader government position that a stronger health system can support a healthier workforce, improve productivity and contribute to economic growth.