Kenya and Italy to Strengthen Health Sector Cooperation
The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Medical Services, Mr. Harry Kimtai, together with Kenya’s Ambassador to Italy, Ambassador Fredrick Matwang’a, held a bilateral meeting with Marcelo Gemmato, the Under-Secretary for Health in the Ministry of Health of the Italian Republic. Photo/Ministry of Health.
Kenya is set to deepen its health sector ties with Italy following a high-level bilateral meeting between officials from both nations.
The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, and Kenya’s Ambassador to Italy, Ambassador Fredrick Matwang’a, met with Marcelo Gemmato, the Under-Secretary for Health in the Italian Ministry of Health, to discuss areas of collaboration aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery in Kenya.
The meeting highlighted key areas of partnership, including the local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and vaccines, advancements in telemedicine, capacity building, and a health personnel exchange program.
These initiatives are part of Kenya’s broader strategy to strengthen its healthcare system and improve access to essential medical services.
“The partnership with Italy offers Kenya an opportunity to scale up local production of essential medicines and vaccines, reducing dependency on imports and enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to health emergencies,” said Mr. Kimtai.
Advancements in telemedicine also formed a central part of the discussions. The technology is expected to improve healthcare access in Kenya’s remote areas by enabling patients to consult specialists and receive timely diagnoses without the need for extensive travel.
Capacity building and a health personnel exchange program were also key focus areas, with both nations committing to sharing expertise and training opportunities to bolster the skills of healthcare workers.
Under-Secretary Marcelo Gemmato expressed Italy’s readiness to support Kenya’s healthcare goals and emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to address global health challenges.
The meeting marks a significant step in the two nations’ long-standing relationship and underscores their commitment to improving healthcare systems through innovation, investment, and knowledge exchange.
As Kenya continues to prioritize universal healthcare, the partnership with Italy is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable health outcomes.
About Author
