Kenya has urged the international community to elevate oral health within the global fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs), stressing its critical role in improving population health and reducing disease burdens worldwide.
Speaking on behalf of the government during a high-level roundtable and reception at Goals House, Tavern on the Green, Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to advancing innovative, integrated, and equity-driven approaches in combating NCDs.
The event, organized by Colgate-Palmolive on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), assessed global progress in addressing oral diseases and explored impactful interventions for scaling solutions.
Dr. Oluga noted that nearly half of the world’s population suffers from oral diseases, conditions strongly linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. He called for greater political prioritization and resource mobilization to integrate oral health into the broader NCD agenda.
Highlighting Kenya’s achievements, he cited the National Oral Health Policy (2022–2030) and the National Oral Health Strategic Plan, which align oral health with wider health sector reforms.
Additional milestones include the planned oral health module in the 2025 National STEP Survey, the integration of oral health training for community health promoters, and the success of Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program that has reached over 15 million Kenyan children.
He further underscored the need for cross-sector collaboration, stressing that oral health is interconnected with education, agriculture, environment, and finance, and should therefore be recognised as a strategic driver in reducing the global NCD burden.
Distinguished guests at the forum included Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation; Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children US; and Dr. Maria Ryan, Chief Clinical Officer at Colgate-Palmolive.
By Michelle Ndaga
