Kenya is stepping up efforts to strengthen local production of vaccines and medical technologies through expanded health cooperation with Japan.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The two countries have already explored ways to deepen collaboration in research, local manufacturing, health financing, workforce development, and access to modern health technologies during the first Japan-Kenya Health Cooperation meeting

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Olunga led the Kenyan delegation on Monday, October 5, which mainly focused on building a more resilient and self-reliant health system.

Further, the cooperation will strengthen the link between research and the development of medicines, diagnostics and medical technologies, including early-stage research and clinical trials.

📌 What You Need to Know

As part of the discussions, Kenya will also seek to combine Japanese technology and expertise with its research institutions, universities and private sector to expand local manufacturing and reduce reliance on imported health products.

The development comes at a time when Kenya is pursuing plans to manufacture its first locally produced vaccine, with the government targeting the rollout of the vaccine by 2027.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the target in January this year after a strategic engagement with the board and senior management of the Kenya BioVax Institute, where he reviewed progress on the country’s vaccine manufacturing programme.

Duale said the initiative was a key pillar of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda and would strengthen access to affordable, reliable vaccines.

Previously, Japan supported Kenya’s health manufacturing ambitions, including a commitment to mobilise Ksh3 billion towards strengthening vaccine research and manufacturing capacity.

The latest cooperation will also cover specialised training and simulation-based learning for health workers , as well as collaboration between universities and hospitals to strengthen skills and institutional capacity.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke