GENEVA, Switzerland – Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale had a fruitful bilateral discussion with World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the 78th World Health Assembly.
A well-resourced WHO is essential for accomplishing the ambitious goals outlined in the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14) for 2025–2028.
Their discussion focused on the significance of sustainable financing for WHO, including proposed increases in assessed contributions, underscoring Kenya’s commitment to advancing national health priorities and strengthening global health cooperation.
“Always a pleasure to meet with my brother, Health Secretary @HonAdenDuale. Universal health coverage remains a priority for #Kenya, and I assured the Secretary of @WHO’s continued support. We also discussed ways to strengthen local vaccine production and the regulatory system,” said Dr. Tedros.
The CS reaffirmed Kenya’s unwavering commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), considering it a cornerstone of Kenya’s broader Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) aligned with Vision 2030. Kenya is actively strengthening primary healthcare systems, especially community health services, through its Community Health Strategy. 2020-2025.
The East African nation has been actively pursuing UHC as part of its health agenda, with initial steps taken as early as 1994 to develop a system for universal health coverage. A pilot UHC program was launched in 2018 to provide accessible, quality healthcare at a low cost.
This initiative aligns with broader national development goals, including the ‘Big Four Agenda,’ demonstrating the government’s commitment to improving the overall health status of Kenyans.
Why Kenya needs additional support from WHO
Meanwhile, the outlined key requests from WHO to support the country’s health goals include the accelerated implementation of UHC, particularly in primary healthcare through strengthened health financing and digital health expertise. Kenya seeks WHO’s assistance in enhancing its digital infrastructure to produce evidence-based policies.
“We also addressed fiscal challenges following donor withdrawal, notably from USAID, affecting key health sectors. I shared that Kenya is actively mobilising domestic resources and remains on track to meet its GAVI co-financing obligations by June 2025,” said CS Duale.
CS Duale was joined in the meeting by Medical Services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga, DG Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, Amb. Fancy Too, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Geneva, and senior ministry officials.
The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78) will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 19–27, 2025, under the theme “One World for Health.” As the decision-making body of the WHO, the Health Assembly is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. Proceedings will be webcast live with simultaneous interpretation in multiple languages.
What are the key points
- The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78) is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 19–27, 2025.
- The theme for the 2025 Health Assembly is “One World for Health.”
- The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- Delegations from all WHO member states attend the Health Assembly.
- The Health Assembly focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.
- Key functions of the Assembly include determining organisational policies, appointing the Director-General, and supervising financial matters.
- The Assembly also reviews and approves the proposed program budget.
