Kenyan Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha Meets with US Department of Health and Human Services to Strengthen Health Collaboration
Kenyan Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha Meets with US Department of Health and Human Services to Strengthen Health Collaboration
Kenyan Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha Meets with US Department of Health and Human Services to Strengthen Health Collaboration
Kenyan Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha Meets with US Department of Health and Human Services to Strengthen Health Collaboration

Kenyan Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha Meets with US Department of Health and Human Services to Strengthen Health Collaboration

MoH News / Fri, 05/24/2024 - 08:02

Washington D.C. - May 22, 2024 -  Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nakhumicha S. Wafula, was hosted by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) leadership, led by Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm. 

The high-level meeting aimed to bolster Kenya's health sector through various collaborative initiatives.

Discussions focused on regulatory strengthening to elevate the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to Maturity Level 3, ensuring robust regulatory practices. 

Enhancing engagements and partnerships between the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and US counterparts to advance biomedical research was also a key topic. 

The meeting addressed the need for health resources to support infrastructure development and the training of healthcare professionals in Kenya. 

Additionally, the US pledged support for the operationalization and regulatory framework development of Kenya's Digital Health Agency.

During the visit, CS Nakhumicha toured the Secretary Operations Centre (SOC) to gain insights into advanced operational protocols. 

Present at the meeting from the US side were Andrea Palm, Deputy Secretary for HHS; Kimberlee Trzeciak, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legal and International Affairs; Elise Sweeney Anthony, Executive Director of Policy at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC); Capt. Alpa Patel, Acting Deputy Director at the Office of Global Health; Marita Eibl, Associate Director at the Global Health Centre, CDC; and Dr. Elana Clarke, Director of the Africa and Middle East Office, OGA. 

 The Kenyan delegation included Nakhumicha S. Wafula, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Health; Dr. Patrick Amoth, Acting Director General for Health; Prof. Elijah Songok, Acting Director General and CEO of KEMRI; Dr. Erick Muok, Principal Research Scientist at KEMRI; Dr. Jean Gitau, Head of the Division of International Health Relations and Global Health Security; and Justus Bundi.