In October, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Mr. Harry Kimtai, hosted a delegation from the Gyeonggi Provincial Government of South Korea, led by Baringo Governor H.E. Benjamin Cheboi. The meeting marked a significant step in advancing Kenya’s healthcare objectives through international partnerships, with a particular focus on strengthening Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Discussions during the meeting centered on Kenya’s potential adoption of South Korea’s Electronic Health Records (EHR) System. This technology aims to streamline patient data management and improve service delivery across Kenya’s healthcare facilities, particularly benefiting remote regions. The system’s adoption would support Kenya’s efforts to achieve UHC by enhancing efficiency, reducing administrative bottlenecks and improving the quality of care available to patients.
The collaboration also extends to the exchange of medical expertise, as both countries plan to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and skills among healthcare professionals. This includes onsite training and research exchanges focused on tackling prevalent health issues such as infectious diseases and non-communicable conditions like cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. By enhancing professional knowledge through shared research and training, both Kenya and South Korea aim to improve preventive healthcare and clinical outcomes.
Additionally, the partnership involves organizing medical volunteer initiatives and supplying essential medical resources to underserved areas in Baringo County. These efforts aim to bolster healthcare access in rural regions, where resource shortages often limit the availability of quality healthcare.
This collaboration highlights Kenya’s commitment to improving healthcare through international partnerships, with Principal Secretary Kimtai expressing optimism about the long-term benefits for Kenya’s healthcare sector. Governor Cheboi also emphasized that these partnerships are essential for building resilient healthcare systems that meet the needs of all citizens.