Kenya Launches PEP Programme to Elevate Healthcare Education and Combat CMDs

Today, on January 31, 2024, a significant milestone was reached in Kenya's healthcare sector with the launch of the Partnership for Education of Health Professionals (PEP) Programme at KMTC Gatundu Campus.

 This groundbreaking initiative, made possible by the support of the Novo Nordisk Foundation and collaborative efforts from various partners, aims to reshape healthcare education and address the challenges posed by CardioMetabolic Diseases (CMDs) in the country.

 Health Cabinet Secretary, Ms. Nakhumicha S. Wafula,alongside CS Public Service Hon Moses Kuria and PS Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni,
expressed gratitude to the Novo Nordisk Foundation for their pivotal role in advancing healthcare in Kenya.

 She lauded the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) for their crucial involvement in implementing the programme, which will adopt a hub-and-spoke approach, establishing central coordination hubs across six regions, starting with KMTC Embu as the pilot hub. CMDs, including heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, kidney disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, pose a significant threat to public health globally.

In Kenya, the rise in Non-Communicable Diseases, particularly CardioVascular Diseases (CVDs), has become a major concern, surpassing HIV/AIDS and malaria in hospital admissions and mortality rates.

 Under the leadership of President Dr. William Ruto, the government has enacted legislation aimed at restructuring the healthcare landscape, ensuring better accessibility through reforms such as the Social Health Insurance Act and Digital Health Act.

 The PEP Programme aligns with the government's vision of achieving Universal Health Coverage and promoting evidence-based decision-making in healthcare policy.

By strengthening health education, particularly in rural areas, and enhancing opportunities for health professionals, the programme aims to combat CMDs effectively and promote healthier lifestyles. 

 The launch of the PEP Programme signals a new era in Kenya's healthcare sector, with stakeholders committed to working collaboratively towards a healthier and more resilient nation.