Kenya and Jordan discuss strengthening health cooperation and developing the sector.
Kenyan-Jordanian talks to develop the health sector
Written by: Mohamed Ragab
Kenyan Health Minister Aden Duale held bilateral talks on Wednesday with the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Kenya. Kenya Roland Samara, in a move aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of developing universal health coverage.
The Ministry of Health explained KenyanIn an official statement on its social media page, X said that the meeting focused on ways to advance the health reform agenda in Kenya, ensuring improved quality of health services and wider access to them.
Focus on specialized care
The discussions included exploring mechanisms to expand access to specialized health services, particularly in the field of cancer treatment, as well as supporting the building of a more equitable and flexible health system capable of meeting citizens’ needs with high efficiency.
Both sides affirmed that this cooperation aligns with Kenya’s economic transformation agenda, particularly the BETA program and the Taifa Care model, which includes operating the Social Health Authority to enhance health sector financing, improve spending efficiency, and reduce the financial burden on citizens.
Diverse areas of cooperation
The discussions also covered opportunities for cooperation in multiple areas, including digital health, local manufacturing of medicines and medical supplies, development of referral systems, as well as enhancing the capabilities of health personnel and unifying regulatory frameworks between the two countries.
Kenya expressed interest in benefiting from Jordan’s experience in implementing universal health coverage, especially with regard to designing health service packages and payment systems for service providers, in order to achieve sustainability and efficiency in providing health care.
The meeting was attended by a number of officials, including the Director of Public Health and Hygiene, Dr. Stephen Mulishi, in confirmation of the importance of this partnership in supporting the development of the health sector and strengthening bilateral cooperation between Kenya and Jordan.
Jordan and Kenya share a growing strategic relationship based on the exchange of interests in vital areas, as the two countries seek to enhance trade links through the “Jordanian-Kenyan Business Council” to open new markets for Jordanian exports such as fertilizers and medicines in East Africa, in exchange for importing Kenyan agricultural products such as tea and coffee.
Security cooperation also stands out as a key pillar, especially through the “Aqaba Meetings” which aim to coordinate international efforts to combat terrorism, reflecting the role of the two countries as pillars of stability in their respective regions.
