Kenya and Belgium are strengthening their health partnership through collaborative investments in healthcare infrastructure, medical research, and biotechnology. The initiative aims to reinforce Kenya’s healthcare system while accelerating the country’s progress toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The strengthened partnership comes after high-level discussions between officials from Kenya’s Ministry of Health and Belgian Ambassador to Kenya Peter Maddens. During the talks, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to increasing financial support, enhancing technical assistance, and promoting technology transfer initiatives to improve healthcare services across the country

Central to the partnership is the creation of the KEMRI–Unizima Bio-Manufacturing Training Hub, a collaborative project between the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Belgian biotechnology company Unizima.

The initiative seeks to strengthen Kenya’s capacity to conduct local research, develop, and manufacture essential medicines and biopharmaceutical products. It is also expected to reduce the country’s dependence on imports while enhancing its preparedness to respond to future public health emergencies.

Once operational, the facility will be capable of producing vaccines, insulin, cancer treatments, and other biotherapeutic products. It is also expected to serve as a regional hub for biomedical innovation and pharmaceutical research.

The partnership will also support the training of Kenyan biomedical scientists, laboratory technologists, and technical professionals through specialized exchange programmes in Belgium. These programmes will equip participants with advanced skills in biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and laboratory quality management systems, enabling them to apply and share the expertise within Kenyan institutions.

Health officials say the initiative will help develop a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting the growth of Kenya’s pharmaceutical sector while positioning the country as a regional centre for medical manufacturing.

In addition, Kenya and Belgium are partnering to strengthen environmental health through the implementation of the Medical Waste Microwave Project. Backed by the Belgian government, the initiative aims to modernize the management and disposal of hazardous medical waste.

The project introduces advanced microwave treatment technology to replace conventional open-air incineration methods, helping to reduce environmental pollution, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and lower the risk of infections linked to the improper disposal of medical waste.

The initial phase of the programme has already been rolled out in key referral hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, along with health facilities in Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Embu, Nyeri, Machakos, and Kisii.

Following the successful rollout of the second phase across 22 counties, Kenya and Belgium have signed an Inter-Party Participating Agreement (IPA) to implement the third phase of the programme, which will extend modern medical waste treatment systems to all 47 counties.

The nationwide rollout is expected to strengthen infection prevention and control, boost environmental protection, and improve the overall quality of healthcare services across both urban and rural health facilities.

The collaboration is also expected to support Kenya’s wider objective of strengthening local pharmaceutical production, enhancing access to affordable medicines, and positioning the country as a regional leader in health research and biotechnology across East Africa.

The Zanzibar Ministry of Health will introduce performance-based assessments for health workers, placing greater emphasis on the quality of healthcare services rather than infrastructure development.

The initiative follows significant government investments in health facilities, medical equipment, and healthcare financing to strengthen service delivery throughout the islands.

The announcement was made by the Permanent Secretary in the Zanzibar Ministry of Health, Dr. Mngereza Mzee Miraji, during a meeting held to review progress and establish priorities for improving healthcare services. The forum, jointly organized by the ministry and PharmAccess, brought together healthcare leaders and stakeholders from across Zanzibar.

“From now on, we will no longer be judged by the number of hospitals we have built, but by the quality of services delivered within those facilities,” said Dr Miraji.

“The next step is to stop blaming one another. If we want change, we cannot continue doing the same things and expect different results. We must all agree that quality is now our priority and commit ourselves to enforcing it,” he added.

Dr. Miraji stated that, the ministry would no longer accept poor performance from health workers. The performance-based approach will be implemented throughout the healthcare system, including dispensaries, health centres, district hospitals, regional hospitals, and referral hospitals.

He said that as Zanzibar advances toward health goals, all departments and directorates must align their plans with five strategic priorities, with improving healthcare quality and enhancing patient safety as the primary focus.

Dr. Miraji also emphasized the need to strengthen the referral system connecting primary healthcare facilities with district, regional, and referral hospitals, noting that quality healthcare starts at the community level.

“We will no longer accept explanations for maternal health complications because no information was available. We already have a community health system through which referrals can be made, and community health workers are performing their responsibilities. We therefore do not expect pregnant women to develop complications because information failed to reach the appropriate level,” he said.

Dr. Miraji identified accountability and performance management as a key priority, urging health workers and managers to prioritize measurable outcomes.

“Whether you are a nurse, a midwife, or any other healthcare professional, your duty is to report to work every morning and serve the people, not spend your time engaging in idle talk,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary also urged officials to make decisions based on reliable data rather than assumptions, warning that poor decision-making could negatively affect service delivery and overall performance.

Dr. Faiza Abasi, Project Manager at Pharm Access, said the organization has been partnering with the Zanzibar Ministry of Health to enhance the quality of healthcare services across all levels of the healthcare system, including dispensaries, health centres, district hospitals, regional hospitals, and referral hospitals.

“Through this partnership, our goal is to ensure that healthcare services provided in all facilities meet recognised quality standards,” she said.

Dr Abasi said the partnership had developed a framework for assessing healthcare quality across the sector.
“We measure quality using a five-level rating system, similar to hotel classifications. Health facilities are assessed against these standards. However, no facility in Zanzibar has yet attained Level Five, with most currently rated between Levels One and Three,” she said.

As part of a significant national health survey, Kenya examined the growth, learning, and development of children under five for the first time. This could change the way the nation plans and provides support for its youngest residents.

The most important time for a child’s brain development is generally acknowledged to be the early years. A child’s development and potential can be shaped by the quality of nurturing care they receive throughout this period, which includes opportunities for early learning, safety and security, healthy eating, and responsive caregiving.

Earlier this year, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics finished gathering data from 30,000 households spread across 1,000 towns. The World Health Organization’s Global Scales for Early Development (GSED), a tool created especially to evaluate children’s holistic development from birth to three years old, was included in the survey along with well-known health indicators. This tool captures not only physical health but also how children are thinking, communicating, and interacting with their environment.

Simple, interesting graphic cards were used to convey the tool, which was modified for the Kenyan environment and translated into local languages. The Early Childhood Development Index 2030, a supplementary measure created by UNICEF, was also included in the poll to assess children’s development between the ages of three and five. When used in tandem, the two resources offered thorough coverage of early childhood development from birth to age five.

According to Dr. Makeba, WHO Kenya’s technical lead for child health, “feedback from data collectors confirmed that mothers responded positively to the simple, engaging picture cards, creating a welcoming environment that supported effective data collection.”

Building the capacity of the Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, and partners through specialized training on the WHO tool was a crucial component of WHO’s commitment, allowing field teams to successfully deploy it across all survey sites. After receiving this training, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics equipped 150 data collectors in each of the 47 counties.

After analysis, the results should provide Kenyan officials with a more comprehensive understanding of whether youngsters are succeeding or falling behind, and most importantly, why.

The purpose of the survey, which was originally called the Kenya Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2025/26, was to serve as a crucial health check between the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022 and the upcoming national survey. Additionally, it collected more general health data from women between the ages of 15 and 49, including information on domestic violence, family planning, reproductive health, maternal and child health, and health insurance.

The results are currently being analyzed. It is anticipated that the data collected would directly influence national expenditure and policy decisions, providing planners with the means to allocate resources where children most need them.

Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, WHO representative a.i. to Kenya, stated, “WHO is proud to be part of this journey, and we look forward to seeing the final results and the opportunities they will create to improve the health and wellbeing of children across Kenya.”

The Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) is presently Tanzania’s first medical facility that is going to be fulfilling the nation’s global strategy as of the newly established relation with the Malawian authority.

Madalitso Baloyi, Malawi’s Minister of Health and Sanitation, announced Tanzania and Malawi work together on was interested medical supplies throughout her representative’s arrival to the BMH.

Although at the health care center, she emphasised the significance to promote healthcare tourism, claiming that there had been an immense queue of patients in surrounding Malawi whose would soon be sent to the BMH to benefit from specialised and super specialised healthcare. She stated that this will lower medical expenses and expand connections between the two nations.

“In the previous years we were referring our patients to India and other European countries but with this partnership, we will now be bringing them to BMH to access similar services at a more affordable cost,” she said.

addressing to those who represent their countries in Tanzania at Chamwino. State House, Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of requested the diplomatic community to go beyond typical aid and use healthcare diplomatic means to support Tanzania’s plan of building a central region for specialised care.

The President insists that the current administration seeks to exploit the excellent record of health care organisations as an important principle of foreign policy to seek to draw in both economically viable and healthcare tourists.

“We equally want to leverage the short distance here in Tanzania so that we access specialised facilities as well as reduce the cost of referrals in other countries,” she said.

Using the Ministry of Healthcare, Malawi and BMH inaugurated an additional stage of joint growth described by Ms. Baloyi, with a concentration on improving specific healthcare facilities, professional development, and study to benefit both their citizens.

Under the supervision of Tanzania’s Deputy Ambassador to Malawi, Agnes Kayora, the initiative follows initial discussions between BMH’s Executive Director, Prof. Abel Makubi, and Dr. Dan Namarika, Malawi’s Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health.

According to Prof. Makubi, BMH will work together on knowledge and inquiry exchange, improve healthcare tourism, and develop skilled professionals through retraining and healthcare camps.

Prof. Makubi assured that the health facility delivers treatment in line with international quality standards, enabling other countries in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa to access and benefit from the specialised services offered by BMH.

The ambitious five-year Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) Investment Case in Kenya is an ambitious plan worth Sh 460 billion that is expected to save over 45,000 lives and achieve more than Sh 565 billion in economic returns by 2030.

Dr. Edward Serem, the head of RMNCAH-N said that the RMNCAH-N investment plan is focused on persistent challenges to maternal and child survival, equity, and social protection while considering health not merely as a social service but as a critical engine for economic growth.

“The investment case projected return on investment (ROI) on modelling tools, estimating that Kenya stands to gain KSh 12.50 in productivity benefits for every shilling invested in RMNCAH-N, resulting in an estimated KSh 565 billion in cumulative economic gains by 2030.”

Aden Duale, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, said the documents were developed through a collaborative effort involving the government, the private sector, faith-based institutions, and development partners.

“These documents provide significant data on the state of health care delivery today and the facilities’ a state of readiness. They assess the condition of the health workforce and the financial support needed to improve nutrition and maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health” stated Duale.

Under the investment plan, the substantial economic returns are closely linked to its projected impact on human lives. Full implementation between 2025 and 2030 is expected to avert more than 45,000 deaths, including 6,495 maternal deaths, 27,995 child deaths, and 11,071 stillbirths. These gains are critical to strengthening the nation’s human capital and could increase life expectancy from 66 to 72 years.

Over a five-year period, KSh 460 billion is then allocated in order to achieve these life-saving aims. However, the issue is not an enormous problem: only about sixty percent of the necessary expenditures are currently available, leaving a large KSh 193.8 billion fiscal shortfall. It demand quick and powerful advocacy for increased stability and significant domestic financing.

Maternal and Newborn Health services represent the greatest portion (43%), with the aim to decrease the maternal mortality ratio from 355 to 164 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2029–2030.

Nearly 40% of the expenditure will be invested into commodity procurement showing the importance of better supply chain coordination.

The plan takes an integrated approach that addresses clinical gaps while also tackling key social determinants of health.

While recognizing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as a major public health challenge, the plan allocates 8 percent of the budget toward its elimination by 2030. This includes scaling up community mobilization, school-based prevention education, and empowerment programs for women and girls.

Adolescent interventions should incorporate youth-friendly care, mental health services, and access to contraception to reduce teenage pregnancy rates.

The nutrition focus prioritizes addressing micronutrient deficiencies and managing the growing dual burden of malnutrition.

The success of the investment case depends on strong coordination through a Ministry of Health–led Multi-Stakeholder Country Platform, ensuring shared accountability among national and county governments and partners. Monitoring and evaluation will be data-driven, using county-level systems and regular performance reviews to transparently track progress.

While the roadmap is ambitious, the Ministry recognizes that external factors such as climate shocks, inequality, and weak infrastructure continue to threaten health outcomes.

Experts advocate for the integration of climate-resilient approaches into health planning to safeguard the continuous provision of life-saving services.
“There is a need to sustain the progress achieved by planning how RMNCAHN programs will be financed domestically in Kenya, while allocating more resources to high-impact interventions with measurable outcomes that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This approach will also strengthen accountability and monitoring of RMNCAHN service delivery,” Lubaale said.

Representatives from two Japanese businesses, KIZUNA KAIHATSU and WELL MEDICAL GROUP, met with the United Republic of Tanzania’s Embassy in Tokyo. Mr. Willy Ngoya of WILNA International, a member of the Tanzanian Diaspora in Japan, presented the businesses. The team stated that the purpose of their visit was to investigate possible business partnerships and Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiatives in Tanzania. Along with other business representatives, Mr. Tetsuo Maeda, Director and Chief Sales Executive of Well Medical Group and Mr. Seichi Ryoke, Chief Executive Officer of Kizuna Kaihatsu, attended.

In light of the recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between Tanzania and Japan on the Carbon Credit Mechanism, the Embassy stated that the proposal is in line with Tanzania’s environmental and green energy commitments and promised to facilitate collaboration with pertinent government institutions, including the Vice President’s Office. The Embassy noted that by promoting sustainable waste management and carbon reduction, the project might enhance current bilateral cooperation under this structure.

Mr. Maeda of Well Medical Group gave a presentation on the company’s anti-aging and regenerative medicine initiatives. He described the company’s business connections in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as well as its clinics in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe. Using patients’ own cells, the clinics offer stem cell therapy aimed at regenerative medicine, diabetes control, anti-aging and general health enhancement. Fat cells are extracted, cultivated into billions of cells and then returned into patients with minimally invasive procedures that leave no surgical scars. The plan for Tanzania is on setting up clinics and labs in Zanzibar, with the possibility of future growth for medical tourism aimed at European tourists. As part of the project, Tanzanian medical staff will receive professional training in regenerative medicine, which could lead to a wider deployment throughout Africa.

The Embassy offered to put the businesses in touch with the appropriate Tanzanian authorities and reaffirmed its support. Submitting supporting documentation to the Embassy, organizing site visits to Kizuna Kaihatsu’s production facilities and Well Medical Group’s demonstration clinics and maintaining contact with Tanzanian authorities for ODA approval and partnership facilitation are the next steps that have been decided upon. There will be follow-up meetings to discuss project specifics and implementation schedules in more depth.

Additionally, the Embassy thanked both businesses for their creative ideas, which have great potential to support Tanzania’s improved medical services and environmental sustainability. The Embassy also expressed its profound gratitude to Mr. Willy Ngoya for his ongoing efforts to foster investment cooperation between Japan and Tanzania and to connect the Embassy with Japanese businesses.

One of India’s top providers of specialized cancer treatments, Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG), has declared its intention to increase its market share in Africa. An investment of up to Rs. 700 lakhs (about $840,000) in Cancer Care Kenya Limited, a step-down subsidiary of HCG, has been approved by the company’s Board of Directors.

The investment will be made in equity shares of Cancer Care Kenya Limited, subject to relevant regulatory approvals and the fulfillment of certain procedures. Based on the fair worth of Cancer Care Kenya’s shares as established by an independent valuation expert, the decision was made at the Board meeting on November 12, 2023.

This action seems to be a component of HCG’s plan to increase its market share in the African healthcare industry. Located in Nairobi, Kenya, Cancer Care Kenya Limited offers radiation and chemotherapy therapies along with a 15-bed daycare center.

HCG’s trust in the African healthcare market’s potential for growth, especially in oncologist treatments, may be demonstrated by this investment. It also demonstrates the company’s dedication to diversifying its sources of income and growing its global footprint.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and other relevant regulations are followed in the structuring of the investment. HCG has indicated that it complies with cross-border investment standards by stating that the proposed investment is dependent upon the required regulatory clearances.

Apart from its investment in Cancer Care Kenya, Healthcare Global Enterprises has presented a thorough multi-year expansion plan. The strategy’s main objectives include oncology expansion, clinical excellence, deepening regional networks, improving margins, precision oncology and digital health platforms.

This multifaceted strategy shows HCG’s dedication to long-term expansion and its goal to solidify its standing as a pioneer in oncology services in India and around the world.

Together with its all-encompassing growth strategy, Healthcare Global Enterprises’ investment in Cancer Care Kenya may improve its standing in the expanding African healthcare market and support its long-term expansion in specialized oncology services.

A strategic collaboration agreement has been struck by the Ministry of Health to improve the nationwide supply and security of medical technologies and products.

Health Cabinet Secretary Duale was present when the deal was made.

Kemsa, the Digital Health Agency, the Social Health Authority and national referral hospitals are among the important organizations involved.

“Health CS Aden Duale today witnessed the signing of a landmark cooperation agreement on Health Products and Technologies Commodity Security between the Ministry of Health, the Digital Health Agency, the Social Health Authority, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) and the National Referral Hospitals,” a statement from the ministry read.

The collaboration seeks to eliminate medicine stock-outs in public health facilities, enhance stock management and expedite procurement.

The introduction of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is supported by this action.

The CS emphasized the importance of technology, openness and prompt supply of necessary medical supplies.

He told Kenyans that Kemsa’s reforms, which are funded by the government, will guarantee that no patient is turned away because there isn’t enough medication.

Additionally, he urged CEOs of healthcare facilities to implement an automated, end-to-end supply system that is in line with the Ministry’s vision for digital health transformation.

Transparency and efficiency will increase with the implementation of track-and-trace systems. It will offer improved stock management, real-time data visibility and more efficient supply chain operations.

It is anticipated that this method will increase accountability and ensure the reliable provision of medical supplies.

The agreement is crucial to speeding up the delivery of UHC.

It provides help for key areas like commodities security, human resources for health, integrated digital health systems (HMIS) and health financing.

Additionally, Duale reaffirmed the government’s resolve to fortify KEMSA.

This entails intentions to finalize a Sh10 billion credit line for sustainable financing as well as a Sh1.5 billion recapitalization.

These initiatives seek to reach a fill rate of more than 70% and expand the supply of necessary health items.

Kemsa CEO Dr. Waqo Ejersa stated, “KEMSA is reforming to guarantee timely, affordable and reliable delivery of health commodities – patients shouldn’t face shortages again.”

In order to guarantee that everyone has access to high-quality, reasonably priced healthcare, particularly at the local level, the CS reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to concentrating on comprehensive health sector reforms.

Kenya and Morocco have started a cochlear implant program worth more than 120 million Kenyan shillings as part of a humanitarian collaboration between the Voice of Children Foundation Kenya, led by First Lady Rachel Ruto and the Lalla Asmaa Foundation of Morocco, directed by Princess Lalla Asmaa. The program, which aims to restore sense of hearing for hundreds of children with severe deafness, involves implants, some surgical procedures, continuous training for medical teams and thorough post-operative follow-up to guarantee auditory rehabilitation and the young beneficiaries’ school integration.

Kenya and Morocco have teamed up to give youngsters who are profoundly deaf a second chance at life. An ambitious cochlear implant scheme worth about USD 928,000 has been initiated by the two nations. The Lalla Asmaa Foundation of Morocco, headed by Princess Lalla Asmaa and the Voice of Children Foundation Kenya, led by First Lady Rachel Ruto, are leading this medical and humanitarian effort.

Morocco will supply the implants, perform some of the surgical procedures and instruct Kenyan medical teams in accordance with the agreement made by the two foundations. Kenyatta National Hospital will host the initial procedures, which will thereafter continue in Morocco in early 2026. In order to guarantee the young patients’ complete school integration, post-operative care and auditory rehabilitation are planned.

This collaboration demonstrates the strength of South-South cooperation in Africa, an innovative model of solidarity that combines investments in human resources, medical innovation and skill transfer. According to national data from 2021, hearing issues impact around 4,800 children per 100,000 in Kenya, highlighting the need and necessity of this continental effort.

Ten new ARV and other medical product factories are to be established in Tanzania, according to proposals released.

It was announced that the Ministry of Health, along with several partners, will build ten new facilities to produce pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in the nation.

These factories will produce a variety of goods, including tablets and liquid medications, laboratory reagents, intravenous fluids (drips) and antiretroviral medications (ARVs).

“The initiative intends to increase investment in the pharmaceutical and health product manufacturing sector while also boosting the national economy”, said Jenista Mhagama, the Minister of Health, who made the announcement in Parliament in Dodoma.

Minister Mhagama also disclosed that the Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries (TPI) factory in the Arusha region has been revitalized and supported by the government through the Medical Stores Department (MSD), allowing it to start producing ARV medications in full.

These initiatives aim to improve the nation’s domestic pharmaceutical supply, lessen reliance on foreign imports and boost the nation’s health sector and manufacturing capabilities.