Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and advancing an integrated health economy in East Africa, with the government calling for deeper collaboration, cross-border investment and harmonization of professional standards across the region.
Principal Secretary in the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, made the remarks while participating in a Ministerial Dialogue on “Vision 2035: Shaping the Future of East Africa’s Health Economy” during the 13th East Africa Healthcare Federation Conference and International Exhibition held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The high-level dialogue brought together health leaders from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania to explore strategies for strengthening regional partnerships and creating a more integrated and resilient health sector capable of responding to the changing needs of East African populations.
During the discussions, PS Muthoni shared Kenya’s experience in implementing transformative health-financing reforms aimed at expanding access to affordable, equitable and quality healthcare for all Kenyans. She highlighted the importance of sustainable financing mechanisms in improving healthcare access and strengthening health systems across the region.
Muthoni said stronger cooperation among East African countries would be critical in unlocking opportunities within the region’s growing health sector while improving the movement of healthcare expertise, services and investments across borders.
She reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to deepening regional collaboration and facilitating cross-border investment in healthcare, noting that greater cooperation could help countries address shared health challenges while creating opportunities for innovation, investment and improved service delivery.
The Principal Secretary also emphasized the importance of mutual recognition of licenses for health professionals across East African countries. Such measures, she said, would help facilitate the movement and deployment of qualified healthcare workers within the region while supporting the development of a more integrated health workforce.
The ministerial dialogue formed part of broader discussions at the 13th East Africa Healthcare Federation Conference and International Exhibition, which brought together key players in the health sector to examine emerging opportunities, challenges and strategies for transforming healthcare delivery in the region.
Kenya’s participation in the forum comes as East African countries continue to explore ways of strengthening health systems, promoting regional investments and improving access to quality healthcare.
The government said continued collaboration would be essential in building a resilient and sustainable health economy that benefits citizens across the region.
