Wednesday 11th March, 2026 08:54 PM|
Kenya and Japan are intensifying collaboration to boost local production of medical commodities, research capacity, and training of health professionals.
In a statement shared on X on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Ministry of Health said this partnership aims to make Kenya’s health sector more self-reliant and accessible to all citizens.
“Kenya and Japan are strengthening cooperation in health technology transfer, local manufacturing of medical commodities, research and development, and advanced training for health professionals, in a partnership aimed at building a more self-reliant health sector and expanding access to essential health technologies,” the statement reads.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Ouma Oluga, explained that increasing local production of health commodities is a key component of the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. The move also supports the national commitment to Universal Health Coverage, ensuring healthcare is affordable and accessible for all Kenyans.
“Speaking in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga said Kenya’s push to increase local production of health commodities aligns with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the national commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which seeks to ensure all citizens access quality healthcare services without financial hardship,” the statement reads.
Oluga made the remarks while hosting the Second Kenya–Japan Health Sector Joint Technical Working Group Meeting at Afya House. Officials from the Ministry of Health and a Japanese delegation, led by Ambassador Matsuura Hiroshi, attended the meeting to review progress and plan joint initiatives.
“Oluga made the remarks while hosting the Second Kenya–Japan Health Sector Joint Technical Working Group Meeting at Afya House, which brought together officials from the Ministry of Health and a Japanese delegation led by Ambassador Matsuura Hiroshi,” the statement reads.
The discussions highlighted Kenya’s growing health innovation ecosystem, including institutions supporting research, intellectual property protection, and technology development. Key institutions such as the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) are driving new health technologies, while the government invests in vaccine technology transfer through Kenya BioVax Institute and the global mRNA Technology Transfer Programme.
“Discussions highlighted Kenya’s growing health innovation ecosystem, including institutions supporting research, intellectual property protection, and technology development. The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) continues to play a key role in advancing health research and developing new technologies, while the Government is also investing in vaccine technology transfer through the Kenya BioVax Institute and participating in the global mRNA Technology Transfer Programme coordinated by the World Health Organization and the Medicines Patent Pool,” the statement reads.
Officials noted that the partnership will strengthen Kenya’s health system, enhance regional health security, and support the development of resilient pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. Both countries also committed to deepening collaboration through research, specialised training, and technology transfer.
“The partnership is expected to strengthen Kenya’s health system and contribute to regional health security across Africa. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration through joint research, specialised training, and expanded pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity to support resilient and sustainable health systems,” the statement reads.
