NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya and Japan are exploring a new health partnership aimed at expanding local production of vaccines, medicines and medical technologies as the country seeks to reduce reliance on imported health products.
The two countries discussed ways to deepen cooperation in health research, local manufacturing, health financing, workforce development and access to modern health technologies during the first Japan-Kenya Health Cooperation meeting.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga led the Kenyan delegation during the meeting held on Monday, October 5.
The talks focused on strengthening Kenya’s health system by building greater domestic capacity in research, manufacturing and healthcare delivery.
The proposed cooperation will seek to strengthen the link between research and the development of medicines, diagnostics and medical technologies, including early-stage research and clinical trials.
Kenya also plans to leverage Japanese technology and expertise alongside the capabilities of local research institutions, universities and private-sector players to expand domestic manufacturing.
The partnership is expected to support efforts to develop a more resilient health system while reducing the country’s dependence on imported medical products.
Kenya Targets First Locally Produced Vaccine
The discussions come as Kenya advances plans to manufacture its first locally produced vaccine, with the government targeting its rollout by 2027.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the target in January after engaging the board and senior management of the Kenya BioVax Institute on progress in the country’s vaccine manufacturing programme.
Duale said vaccine manufacturing was an important component of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and would help improve access to affordable and reliable vaccines.
Japan has previously supported Kenya’s health manufacturing ambitions, including a commitment to mobilise Sh3 billion towards strengthening vaccine research and manufacturing capacity.
The latest talks are expected to build on that cooperation by expanding collaboration across other areas of health manufacturing and technology.
Focus On Health Workforce
The proposed partnership will also cover specialised training and simulation-based learning for healthcare workers.
Kenya and Japan will explore collaboration between universities and hospitals to strengthen professional skills, institutional capacity and knowledge transfer.
The two countries are also looking at sustainable health financing, domestic resource mobilisation and health technology assessment as part of efforts to strengthen the systems required to sustain improvements in healthcare.
Health technology assessment is expected to support decision-making on the value and suitability of medicines, medical technologies and other health interventions.
Kenya Eyes Regional Health Manufacturing Hub
The talks also highlighted Kenya’s potential to serve as a regional hub for health research, innovation, manufacturing and training.
The government is seeking to strengthen domestic capacity in the health sector while positioning Kenya to support the wider region with locally developed and manufactured health products.
The expanded cooperation with Japan could therefore support Kenya’s efforts to link research institutions, universities and private manufacturers with international technology and expertise.
The initiative comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen local production of essential health products and build a more self-reliant healthcare system.
