Kenya and Egypt Deepen Health Sector Ties After President Ruto’s Visit
This initiative aims to support development programs across Nile Basin countries, including in critical sectors like health.
Kenya, Egypt forge stronger health ties in high-level meeting. Photo/Ministry of Health.
By Robert Assad
Kenya and Egypt are set to strengthen their partnership in the health sector following a high-level meeting between Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Egyptian Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Wael Nasreldin Attiya.
The talks, held in Nairobi, build on the momentum from President William Ruto’s recent State Visit to Egypt, which emphasized cooperation between the two nations.
At the heart of the discussions were three key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) designed to expand collaboration.
These agreements will cover Health and Medical Services, establish ties between Kenyatta National Hospital and Egypt’s National Cancer Institute for Oncology, and bolster regulatory links between the Egyptian Drug Authority and Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
“These agreements will open up avenues for knowledge sharing, technical support, and strong institutional partnerships that will advance healthcare delivery in Kenya,” CS Duale said after the meeting.
Further, Egypt invited Kenya to submit proposals for three priority projects under the Nile Development Fund, with potential financial backing of up to USD 6 million. This initiative aims to support development programs across Nile Basin countries, including in critical sectors like health.
CS Duale also called for Egyptian support in boosting local manufacturing of health products and technologies in Kenya—a move he described as vital for modernizing healthcare and reducing dependency on imports.
He further pointed to Egypt’s valuable expertise in infection prevention, health research, and emergency response to disease outbreaks as areas where Kenya could benefit.
Egyptian Ambassador Wael Nasreldin Attiya extended an official invitation to Kenya to participate in the upcoming Africa Health Expo, scheduled for June 2025 in Cairo. The event is expected to foster deeper ties and open up new collaboration opportunities for African nations.
Present at the talks were Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga and Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, signaling Kenya’s high-level commitment to the partnership.
While the collaboration has been welcomed in policy circles, some Kenyans have voiced concerns on social media, highlighting persistent challenges in the health sector such as drug shortages and poor service delivery.
Critics argue that while diplomatic engagements are important, urgent reforms are still needed to address the crisis in public hospitals.
Nonetheless, the Ministry of Health insists that such international partnerships are key steps toward revitalizing Kenya’s health systems and improving care for its citizens.
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