NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Health has formalised a new cooperation framework with the Kenya Red Cross Society, marking a renewed push to strengthen health system resilience and fast-track the country’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the partnership is designed to accelerate progress through structured and coordinated national implementation, aligning public health priorities with humanitarian support systems.
“The collaboration will support health systems strengthening, enhance emergency preparedness, and align infrastructure development with national priorities,” Duale said while chairing the session formalising the agreement.
The framework targets key priority areas, including human resource capacity development, climate resilience, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), all seen as critical in reducing environmental health risks and preventing disease outbreaks.
Officials said the partnership will also focus on expanding digital health solutions, research, and innovation to improve service delivery, efficiency, and access to quality care—particularly in underserved and vulnerable communities.
A Joint Coordination Committee will be established to oversee implementation, track progress, and ensure alignment with national health frameworks, reinforcing accountability in the rollout of the programme.
Among the flagship initiatives under the agreement is the development of an Ambulance Dispatch Centre aimed at strengthening referral systems and improving emergency response times across the country. The partnership will also enhance blood collection services to support specialised and critical care.
Duale reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to achieving UHC, calling for sustained collaboration between government agencies, development partners, and humanitarian organisations.
The move comes as Kenya intensifies reforms in the health sector to expand access, improve quality of care, and build resilience against public health emergencies, in line with Article 43(1)(a) of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to the highest attainable standard of health.
The collaboration is expected to play a key role in strengthening Kenya’s preparedness for emergencies while supporting long-term transformation of the health sector through integrated, people-centred solutions.
