The Ministry of Health has called for stronger accountability and faster implementation of digital health projects, while seeking deeper cooperation with Thailand in local manufacturing, health financing and medical technology.

Principal Secretary (PS) for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, said digital health investments must translate into tangible improvements in healthcare delivery as the government advances its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

Dr Oluga made the remarks while chairing a Healthcare IT Digitisation Programme Steering Committee meeting at Afya House, attended by representatives of the Safaricom Consortium, the Digital Health Authority (DHA), the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and other implementing agencies.

The meeting reviewed progress under the UHC Digital Transformation Programme and identified areas requiring stronger oversight, better coordination and faster delivery of agreed targets.

Dr Oluga outlined four priorities for the programme’s next phase: holding subcontractors accountable for their obligations, improving transparency in tracking project investments, accelerating the roll-out of ICT infrastructure and digital systems, and ensuring the investments deliver measurable benefits to health facilities, workers and patients.

He emphasised the need for closer collaboration among technical teams, project managers and implementing agencies, to address implementation challenges and ensure digital systems remain stable and reliable.

The PS reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with all partners to maximise the value of public resources and ensure the programme supports the Government’s Taifa Care agenda.

The digitisation programme is expected to strengthen health service delivery through the use of technology and support Kenya’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.

In a separate engagement at Afya House, Dr Oluga hosted Thailand’s Ambassador to Kenya, Jirusaya Birananda, to discuss expanding bilateral health cooperation as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.

The talks focused on strategic health financing, procurement of medical products, health workforce collaboration, digital health, research and development, local manufacturing of health commodities, and traditional and alternative medicine.

Dr Oluga said Kenya–Thailand cooperation offered opportunities to attract investment, strengthen medical supply chains and expand market access for manufacturers in both countries.

He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to local manufacturing, in line with President William Ruto’s push for increased domestic production and regional economic integration.

The two sides also explored ways to translate research into practical healthcare solutions and strengthen collaboration through existing bilateral frameworks.

Dr Oluga stressed the importance of ensuring medical commodities are affordable, meet quality standards and remain reliably available to healthcare facilities and patients.

He said the Ministry was committed to facilitating partnerships between Kenyan and Thai manufacturers to strengthen local production and improve access to essential health products.

Ambassador Birananda reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to deepening the partnership and translating areas of mutual interest into practical outcomes that support health system development and benefit both countries.

During the discussions, Dr Oluga assured the Thai envoy that Kenya had put measures in place to contain the Ebola outbreak and strengthen public health preparedness.

He said the country remained committed to surveillance and appropriate response measures to safeguard public health.

The PS said there was no need for a travel advisory against Kenya, citing the measures in place to manage public health risks.

The engagements underscore the Ministry of Health’s twin priorities of strengthening domestic healthcare delivery through digital transformation and expanding international partnerships to improve access to medical products, technology and expertise.

by Joseph Ng’ang’a