Kenya and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Afya House, marking a significant step towards increasing vaccine production capacities. The cooperation intends to support the country’s attempts to achieve vaccine self-sufficiency while also addressing broader public health issues in Africa.

During the ceremony, Cabinet Secretary for Health Dr. Deborah M. Barasa emphasised the importance of this collaboration in realising Africa CDC’s objective of producing 60% of the continent’s vaccines locally by 2040. “This MoU symbolises our shared commitment to building a robust vaccine ecosystem that ensures equitable access for all while enhancing health security in Kenya and beyond,” says Dr Barasa.

Kenya has been chosen to host the IVI Country Office and the Advancing Vaccine End-to-End Capabilities (AVEC) Project Office, a significant step forward in the country’s leadership in health innovation and vaccine production throughout the continent.

IVI Director General Dr. Jerome Kim praised Kenya’s proactive approach, stating that “this partnership represents a bold step forward in advancing global health security through innovative and sustainable vaccine solutions.”

The partnership also builds on Kenya’s vaccine research accomplishments, with institutions such as the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the Kenya BioVax Institute playing significant roles in clinical trials, disease surveillance and workforce development.

The meeting was attended by the Ministry of Health’s Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Mr. Harry Kimtai; Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth; Kenya BioVax CEO, Dr. Michael Lusiola and KEMRI Ag DG, Prof. Elijah Songok. This alliance is projected to strengthen Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) strategy by improving vaccination access, encouraging innovation and ensuring resilience in the face of future health emergencies.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. received medical equipment worth K.sh 40 million from ENI Kenya, the country’s biggest biofuels value chain investor.

Enrico Tavolini, ENI Kenya’s Managing Director, handed over the equipment, which includes a centrifuge and a fridge to support blood unit preservation at the Referral Hospital, neonatal equipment for the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote and nutritional supplements for pregnant women and babies.

Furthermore, ENI has outfitted the maternity wing at Kambi-Mawe Dispensary and is building an ablution block and a bio digester to improve sanitary services at the institution.

During the transfer ceremony, Governor Mutula praised the initiative, stating that it will significantly improve healthcare services at the two facilities.

The agreement is expected to improve healthcare delivery and fit with Governor Mutula’s goal of offering high-quality, easily accessible medical services.

The Kenyan government has announced a significant milestone in healthcare access with the enrollment of nearly 9,000 healthcare facilities under the new Social Health Assurance (SHA) initiative. Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed the extensive inclusion of 4,760 public and government facilities, 2,498 private institutions, 1,442 faith-based organizations, 17 community facilities, and 86 other healthcare providers across the country. This move reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility as Kenya transitions from the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) model.

Mwaura described the SHA initiative as an inclusive approach aimed at establishing an equitable and resilient healthcare system accessible to all Kenyans. “This extensive enrolment signifies the collective commitment of Kenyan citizens toward an equitable, accessible and resilient healthcare system,” he stated. This initiative is part of the government’s broader objective to ensure universal health coverage and ease the financial burden of medical expenses for Kenyans.

In addition to expanding general healthcare access, the government has also contracted 55 cancer care providers and 184 renal care providers to enhance specialized treatment options for cancer and dialysis patients. These services will be available across various regions, aiming to improve the quality of life for those affected by these chronic conditions. This development is a critical step in addressing the growing demand for specialized healthcare, particularly for diseases like cancer and kidney disease, which are on the rise in Kenya.

Health Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai also confirmed that the government has already disbursed KSh4.5 billion for the SHA fund, with an additional similar amount expected to be released soon. The funds are intended to support the operational costs of enrolled facilities and ensure patients receive quality care without financial barriers.

However, amid these positive developments, concerns have arisen about some facilities requesting upfront payments from patients. Kimtai cautioned facilities enrolled under SHA to refrain from such practices, emphasizing that patients under SHA should receive care without initial financial demands. This directive is part of the government’s commitment to a smooth and patient-friendly experience under SHA, helping reduce instances where financial constraints prevent access to timely healthcare.

Through these initiatives, the Kenyan government aims to establish a robust, inclusive healthcare system, enhancing accessibility and ensuring that essential healthcare services are within reach for all citizens.

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.

On its second stop of Mission Harmony 2024, the Chinese naval medical ship Peace Ark arrived at the port of Das es Salaam, Tanzania. It offered free medical care to locals on its seven-day charitable visit.

When the medical vessel Peace Ark pulled at the port of Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian side welcomed it with a lavish, customary ceremony. Tanzanian military and political figures, including Major General Amri Mwami, the TPDF’s Chief of Medical Services, Chen Mingjian, China’s ambassador to Tanzania, locals, Chinese expatriates, and representatives of Chinese-funded organizations, attended the ceremony.

Tanzania is being visited by the Peace Ark for the third time. On its primary platform, the Peace Ark will provide diagnostic and treatment services during this visit. In the meanwhile, over ten medical teams will be sent on medical visits to nearby hospitals, towns, and educational institutions. Medical personnel from both sides will collaborate on health services, academic exchanges, and diagnosis and treatment. The commander of Mission Harmony-2024 will also tour Tanzanian naval stations and medical facilities in addition to meeting with political and military representatives of Tanzania.

In 2010 and 2017, the Chinese medical vessel Peace Ark made two prior trips to Tanzania, when it rendered medical assistance. The 60th anniversary of Tanzania and China’s diplomatic ties’ founding falls this year. The ship visit will strengthen the two countries’ long-standing relationship and expand their bilateral communication and collaboration.

This summer, Rice University President Reginald DesRoches traveled to Africa with co-director Maria Oden of the Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies and supporters of Rice360 to commemorate important turning points in the effort to eradicate avoidable neonatal deaths in the sub-Saharan area. This tour represented Rice’s ongoing participation in the Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST360) international partnership, of which it is one of 22 organizations.

The crew first visited Malawi, where hospitals in all 28 districts had adopted the NEST360 bundle. From there, they proceeded to Tanzania. Mwananyamala Hospital, one of seven primary care, Level 2 hospitals designated as a NEST360-implementing site during Phase 1 of the program in Tanzania, was the first stop on the itinerary.

Next, the party drove to Ubungo Hospital, a prospective NEST360-implementing site, where DesRoches, Tanzanian Ministry of Health personnel and key local and international partners participated in a ceremonial gathering marking the opening of Phase 2.

DesRoches remarked, “It is truly my distinct honor to be here today to celebrate the launch of NEST360 Phase 2 and the commitment to increased newborn survival in sub-Saharan Africa.” NEST360 has shown that it is willing to collaborate with regional governments. “You need to work together and form partnerships in order to solve the most important problems facing the planet. Developing technology in the lab is one thing, but problems won’t be sufficiently resolved if you don’t have collaborations that comprehend societal, cultural, and economic challenges.”

In order to improve quality and learning among the nation’s partners in newborn and maternal health care, NEST360’s Phase 2 goals include delivering and maintaining life-saving innovations, giving health workers practical education, and using data for action. In keeping with its efforts to lower the number of neonatal deaths, the Tanzanian government announced during the Phase 2 launch that it would spend an extra $7.1 million to upgrade the facilities of newborn wards in 25 hospitals spread across four mainland regions and three hospitals in Zanzibar. According to Dr. Felix Bundala, assistant director of newborn, child, and adolescent health at Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, the country “plans to spend over $50 million on infrastructure, equipment, and capacity building for newborn care” over the course of the following three years.

Tanzania has substantially lowered maternal and infant mortality rates in recent years thanks to concentrated efforts to upgrade its healthcare system. Dr. Grace Magembe, deputy secretary general of Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, gave a statement at the launch citing two notable examples of successful government initiatives advancing strategic national interests and global sustainability goals: an 80% decrease in maternal deaths and a 36% decline in mortality for children under five.

The largest public hospital in Tanzania, Muhimbili National Hospital, three regional referral hospitals, including Mwananyamala, and numerous facilities in rural areas implemented a package of evidence-based, locally relevant interventions for small and sick newborn care in Phase 1. This package was developed by NEST360 and the Ministry of Health.

The Muhimbili neonatal care units had less congestion thanks to these extra NEST360-implementing sites. In this hospital, it was usual to discover one baby cot with six or seven babies before NEST360 was implemented; however, as of right now, “one baby cot is for one baby,” according to Magembe.

Present at the ceremony were representatives of major NEST360 partners in Tanzania, including as Rice360, Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), Ifakara Health Institute, and MUHAS, in addition to leaders from Rice and Tanzanian government authorities.

Tanzania’s health sector has improved significantly during the last three years, a period of exceptional advancement under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s direction.

Remarkable data and revolutionary policies that have improved healthcare infrastructure, quality, and access nationwide serve as proof of the improvements.

The Ministry of Health claims that increased financing for health projects, better maternity and child healthcare services, and expanded immunization programs are directly responsible for this accomplishment.

These topics have been given priority by President Samia’s government because they are vital to the general well-being and advancement of the country.

President Samia’s 10 accomplishments have greatly enhanced the nation’s health system, according to Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu, who presented the Ministry of Health’s revenue and expenditure estimates for the 2024–2025 fiscal year.

The growth and enhancement of health infrastructure, where the number of establishments providing health services has climbed from 8,549 in 2021 to 9,693 this year—a rise of 1,144 facilities—was one of Minister Ummy’s highlighted accomplishments.

The minister reported that when it comes to the state of modern medical equipment, there has been a surge in diagnostic and disease detection tools, such as CT scanners, which have increased from 12 to 45, MRI machines from 7 to 13, ultrasound machines from 476 to 668, echocardiograms from 95 to 102, cath labs from 1 to 4, and the introduction of a PET Scan, which was not available in the nation before.

According to the minister, there has been an increase in bed capacity, with general hospital beds rising from 86,131 in 2021 to 145,374, ICU beds in public facilities rising from 258 in 2021 to 1,362, and improved medicine availability with 290 types of medicines and health products available in public health facilities by March of this year, up from 58 percent to 79 percent.

The minister reported that the number of hospitals offering emergency medical services (EMD) has increased from seven in 2020 to 116 by March of this year. In addition, minister Ummy reported that the country’s availability of reasonably priced advanced and specialized medical services has increased, drawing in foreign patients for medical tourism, with the number of foreign patients rising from 5,705 in 2022 to 7,843 this year.

Improved emergency obstetric treatment: the minister made it clear that there are now 523 medical facilities this year instead of the 388 that were available in 2021 for emergency obstetric care, including cesarean sections.

Other steps, according to Minister Ummy, include expanding access to pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, which has enhanced the availability of these resources at all stages of the healthcare delivery system and improved mental health services.

Other services include palliative care and rehabilitation, maternity and child health services (where the government improves reproductive health services to lower maternal mortality), and services for specialized and advanced medical care.

The 20% rise in Tanzania’s total number of health facilities is another noteworthy achievement.
More than 150 new hospitals and clinics will be opened as a result of this growth, many of them in underserved and rural areas.

Additionally, the budget for the health sector has increased significantly, going from 1.2 billion USD in 2021 to 1.8 billion USD in 2024.

The government has been able to promote health education and training initiatives, invest in state-of-the-art medical equipment, and raise the pay of healthcare workers because to this rise in financial resources.

Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s direction, Tanzania is building on these achievements, and the health sector is a monument to the transformative potential of wise investment and capable leadership.

Over the weekend, Rotary Tanzania organized a free medical camp that helped at least 2,500 Dar es Salaam locals.

The Oyster Bay, Sunset, and Ukonga Rotary Clubs worked together to organize the event.

The event, according to Rotary Tanzania, was a part of ongoing efforts to help the government conduct medical camps in order to bring healthcare services closer to the people.

More than 2500 residents benefited from free medical care and education thanks to the Rotary Family Health Days (RFHD) event 2024, which was hosted over the weekend in Dar es Salaam at Mzambarauni Primary School.

The health services offered include testing for malaria and information on prevention, eye exams, dental examinations, and support for menstrual hygiene, medication availability, and specialist referrals when necessary.

A group of over 500 volunteers and about 100 doctors, including 50 general practitioners and 50 specialties that included paediatricians, optometrists, and dentists, took part in the service delivery.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Rotary Action Group, and Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS Prevention, as well as Rotary International’s mobilizing partners, serve as the initiative’s pillars.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sophia Chamzingo, the Country Chair of Rotary Tanzania, stated that the active collaboration of the Kairuki, Muhimbili, Alpha, and E-Swahili Rotaract Clubs made a spectacular initiative possible.

According to Ms. Sophia, since 2012, Rotary Tanzania has actively organized medical camps in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of Kairuki with the goal of offering basic healthcare to the Dar es Salaam population. These camps are largely organized by the Rotary Club of Oyster Bay.

“Today’s medical campaign will surpass all previous medical camps organized by the club in size, marking a significant milestone.” We would especially want to thank our partnering Rotary,” she stated.

She also expressed her gratitude to President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s sixth phase government for being a crucial Rotary partner.

The Ministry of Health, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Management and Development of Health Organization (MDH), the Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Light of the World, CCBRT, the Tanzania Dental Association, and the Local Government Regional Medical Team were among the other Rotary partners she named.

Promoting peace, combating illnesses, assisting local economies, water and sanitation projects, rescuing women and children, improving education, and safeguarding the environment are some of the network’s key focal areas.

Vital medical supplies and equipment have been provided to the Ministry of Health for distribution to 28 healthcare facilities by Amref Health Africa-Tanzania, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Zanzibar, Absa Bank, and multiple other partners. The noteworthy donation is a component of the “Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging” (Walk-Jog-Run) program, which aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes by supporting Zanzibar’s health facilities with medical supplies and equipment for safe delivery.

Hon. Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, Zanzibar’s Minister of Health, emphasized that 28 healthcare facilities will directly benefit from this program during the hand-over event that took place at the Ministry of Health office in Zanzibar. Encouraging the safe delivery of medical supplies and equipment in Zanzibar is essential and much-needed. He reiterated, “It is the responsibility of our government to guarantee that these supplies and equipment are regularly available and used as intended, since this is the gateway to saving Zanzibaris’ lives, especially those of mothers and babies. He pledged that the administration will make sure the donated equipment got to all of the islands’ designated medical facilities.

Hon. Mazrui further praised Amref and other partners for their creative strategy and exhorted other partners to combine efforts to guarantee the availability of medical supplies and equipment for safe delivery in Zanzibar. “I want to encourage everyone to keep helping save the lives of mothers and children by using the official website, https://wogging.amref.org/, and the payment number, vodacom 5529421, tigo 6633523,” he continued.

“Through the Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging” initiative, in collaboration with various stakeholders and private companies, the contribution of these medical equipment and supplies will enable safe delivery for mothers in Zanzibar,” said Dr. Serafina Mkuwa, Program Manager for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health, speaking on behalf of Amref Health Africa – Tanzania’s Country Director. These supplies will be beneficial to about 28 healthcare facilities in the five regions of Zanzibar that have the highest requirements. The distribution of medical supplies is now in its third phase, and it will continue with the help of dedicated stakeholders.

In support of corporate social responsibility (CSR), Absa Bank’s representative Rabia Aboud, Branch Manager Zanzibar, emphasized the bank’s readiness to work with communities to assist healthcare, especially maternal health, which is a major tenet of the bank’s CSR strategy. Rabia Aboud went on to say that Absa Bank understands the value of assisting partners like Amref in making a positive impact on healthcare and general well-being.

Over the course of three years (2022–2024), the Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging campaign seeks to raise funds for medical supplies and equipment by raising at least one billion Tanzanian shillings in cash and in-kind donations. Until the goal is met, the software will be available for actively engaging different supporters.

At a summit on Thursday, pharmaceutical companies, health organizations, and world leaders committed investment of $1.2 billion to create vaccines in Africa, a continent beset by multiple health problems, including an increasing number of cholera outbreaks.

At the summit’s opening ceremony in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator “will be an essential step towards a genuine African vaccine market.”

Macron told the meeting, which included leaders from Botswana, Rwanda, Senegal, and Ghana in addition to visiting ministries, health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies that three quarters of the cash will come from Europe.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said via video message that Germany will be contributing $318 million to the program.

The United States, Canada, Norway, Japan, and the Gates Foundation are among the other donors. France contributed $100 million and the United Kingdom $60 million.

African Union commission head Moussa Faki Mahamat told the summit that the program “may become a catalyst for promoting the pharmaceutical industry in Africa and fostering collaboration between member states.”

“99 percent of Africa’s vaccines are imported at a hefty cost,” he continued.

The Covid-19 outbreak brought attention to the unequal distribution of vaccinations around the world since wealthier nations with large pharmaceutical companies snatched up the majority of doses, putting Africa far behind.

In order to offer Africa more sovereignty and prevent history from being repeated, the new plan seeks to relocate vaccine production to the continent.

“The pressure to hold on to your own vaccines, for your own people, is always going to be irresistible when the next pandemic hits,” British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said at the meeting, “even if our leaders in the rich Western countries are angels.”

The necessity for more regional vaccine makers has been brought to light by the recent cholera outbreaks in several African countries. The only company in the world producing the affordable and efficient vaccination doses for the fatal illness is EuBiologics, located in South Korea.

Macron declared that outbreaks of cholera were now impacting “half of Africa” and demanded that it be “consigned to the past”.

He revealed that the South African biopharmaceutical company Biovac would start a cholera vaccine production chain in Africa.

“99 percent of Africa’s vaccines are imported at a hefty cost,” he said.

One of the organizers of Thursday’s Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation was the Gavi vaccine alliance, which assists in providing vaccines for over 20 different diseases to underdeveloped nations.

Gavi declared during the summit that it needs to raise $9 billion in order to finance its vaccine initiatives between 2026 and 2030.

First Lady Jill Biden announced via video message that the United States will donate $1.58 billion to the Gavi initiative, and additional pledges are anticipated later on Thursday.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment that one million children have received vaccinations since 2000,” said Jose Manuel Barroso, head of Gavi.

“A child born today has a better chance of celebrating his or her fifth birthday than ever before in history,” he said.

However, millions of kids remain unvaccinated against any disease, and he continued, “hundreds of millions more need to access to more vaccines.”

In Africa, just 2% of the vaccines that are given are produced there. By 2040, the African Union wants to increase this percentage to 60%.