On the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly, Kenya has issued a bold call to global health financiers, urging a shift toward more agile and results-driven approaches to improve outcomes for women and children.
Speaking during a high-level breakfast meeting hosted by the Global Financing Facility (GFF), Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga acknowledged the organization’s significant contribution to Kenya’s health sector.
He highlighted the GFF’s role in strengthening the health workforce, improving the availability of medical commodities, and reducing maternal and child mortality by supporting blood reserve systems.
However, Dr. Oluga called for a re-engineering of GFF’s processes to make the institution more action-oriented and cohesive. “While GFF has supported Kenya well, it’s time to rethink how we translate commitments into tangible results, especially at the grassroots level,” he said.
He proposed the introduction of a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) to fast-track decision-making and implementation timelines. He further emphasized the need for swifter policy translation to support Kenya’s devolved healthcare system and ensure that county governments are aligned with national health priorities.
Dr. Oluga also pointed to Kenya’s strides in digitizing health records, a move he said is already enhancing data use and policy planning. But with global financing landscapes shifting, he called on development partners to embrace scalable innovations that can withstand evolving health challenges.
His remarks come at a time when global health agencies face mounting pressure to deliver more impactful and efficient programs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
As Kenya prepares for a broader rollout of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the PS’s message was clear: global health partnerships must evolve to remain effective.
