Egypt and Kenya discuss localizing the pharmaceutical industry and enhancing health security in Africa.
On the sidelines of the Africa Health 2026 Conference and Exhibition held in Cairo
Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Vice President, discussed cabinet The Minister of Health and Population, along with his counterpart in Kenya, discussed ways to enhance joint cooperation in the health sector and support health security and self-sufficiency in the African continent, on the sidelines of the «Health Africa 2026» conference and exhibition held in Cairo.
Extensive discussions on strengthening the preparedness of health systems in African countries
The meeting witnessed extensive discussions on strengthening the readiness of health systems in African countries, and benefiting from the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with regard to the importance of sustainable investment in health crisis preparedness and response plans, in addition to strengthening local capacities for the production of medicines, vaccines and diagnostic tools.
The Kenyan Minister of Health stressed the importance of accelerating the pace of pharmaceutical manufacturing within the continent by building effective strategic partnerships, expanding technology transfer programs, activating collective purchasing mechanisms, as well as providing long-term market commitments to support investments in the health sector.
He also reviewed Kenya’s efforts in implementing the Universal Health Coverage System and strengthening primary health care services, with a focus on neglected tropical diseases, rare diseases and other health challenges that need greater attention within the African health agenda.
During the meeting, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar gave a presentation on Egypt’s experience in digital health transformation, highlighting the capabilities of the National Command and Control Center, which enables real-time monitoring of key health indicators and supports rapid decision-making and emergency response.
Digital transformation is a key pillar for developing healthcare systems.
Both sides affirmed that digital transformation has become one of the fundamental pillars for developing health systems, noting the importance of employing modern technology in improving the management of health services, raising the efficiency of providing medical care, and enhancing crisis response.
The meeting was attended by Ambassador Fred Ota, Kenya’s Ambassador to Egypt, Dr. Uma Oluga, Undersecretary of Medical Services, Dr. Wako Egersa, CEO of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, along with a number of senior health sector officials from both countries.
