By Laura Nyabang’a
On the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly, Health Cabinet secretary, Aden Duale joined a high-level Ministerial Consultation Forum convened by Africa CDC Director General, H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, to assess Africa’s journey toward health self-sufficiency.
“I underscored the urgency of the Africa CDC’s “New Public Health Order” and called for expanded local production of vaccines, diagnostics and essential medical supplies; lessons we must act on post-COVID-19,” said CS Aden Duale.
Additionally, Hon Duale spotlighted President William Ruto’s appointment as AU Champion for Local Manufacturing, a timely boost for Africa’s Continental Pooled Procurement Mechanism and the drive for vaccine self-reliance. Kenya’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and growing health manufacturing sector reaffirm this vision.
CS Duale urged five bold actions: Buy African, source locally, diversify production, operationalize pooled procurement and build sustainable manufacturing systems.
On the margins of World Health Assembly (WHA) 78, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale held a bilateral engagement with Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), to explore strategic partnerships aimed at advancing vaccine research, development, and manufacturing in Africa.
He emphasized on Kenya’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub for vaccine production and highlighted key collaborative proposals.
Central to these discussions was the development of joint vaccine research initiatives under the Africa Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) and Africa Vaccine Expertise Collaboration (AVEC) platforms.
Kenya seeks IVI’s partnership to co-develop and co-lead at least two proposal submissions by the end of 2025, focusing on vaccines targeting endemic diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, Chikungunya, and Dengue.
The forum was also attended by Health DG Dr. Patrick Amoth and Medical services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga.