Health CS Aden Duale Hosts WHO Africa Acting Regional Director for Bilateral Talks
The talks focused on bolstering Kenya’s response to multiple ongoing public health emergencies, including Mpox, Cholera, Kala-azar, Polio, and Measles, which continue to pose serious challenges to the country’s healthcare system.
Health CS Hon. Aden Duale holds bilateral talks with WHO Africa Acting Regional Director Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu during a courtesy visit to his office. Photo/Ministry of Health.
By Robert Assad
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale today held high-level bilateral discussions with Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Acting Regional Director for Africa at the World Health Organization (WHO), during a courtesy visit to his office.
The talks focused on bolstering Kenya’s response to multiple ongoing public health emergencies, including Mpox, Cholera, Kala-azar, Polio, and Measles, which continue to pose serious challenges to the country’s healthcare system.
A major point of discussion was the operationalization of the Kenya National Public Health Institute (NPHI), which plays a central role in coordinating disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and response mechanisms.
WHO reiterated its commitment to support the NPHI, aligning its efforts with Kenya’s public health priorities.
CS Duale expressed appreciation for WHO’s continued partnership and support to Kenya’s health sector. He emphasized the need for deeper collaboration in key areas such as emergency logistics and supplies, health workforce training and capacity building, as well as strengthening community-based surveillance and public risk communication strategies.
“These partnerships are critical in ensuring we not only respond effectively to health emergencies but also advance our broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda,” said Hon. Duale.
The meeting also underscored the importance of sustained investment in systems that enhance preparedness and timely response to disease outbreaks, particularly in vulnerable and underserved communities.
CS Duale was accompanied by senior Ministry of Health officials, including Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, Acting Director General of the NPHI Dr. Maureen Kamene, and Dr. Stephen K. Muleshe, Senior Deputy Director in the Office of International Health Relations.
The engagement marks a continued effort by the Ministry of Health to strengthen international partnerships and reinforce Kenya’s capacity to manage complex public health threats.
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