NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 14 – The government has called for bolstered private sector involvement in the push for digital,community driven healthcare as a way of scaling innovation and fill gaps left by declining donor funding.
The call came during a high-level WHX event in Nairobi, which brought together public and private sector players to discuss the “Digital Health Triangle” the intersection of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), primary healthcare, and health technology.
Public Health and Proffesional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni speaking during the event called for sustained private sector led innovation.
“The future of universal healthcare depends on how well we collaborate across sectors, especially in the face of challenges like climate change,” she said.
“We’re looking to the private sector to support digital transformation at the community level,” she said, pledging the Ministry’s support for WHX and similar initiatives.”
The announcement comes amidst a global health crisis triggered by the abrupt shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has long been a cornerstone of health operations especially across Africa.
Recent analyses reveal that Kenya stands to lose approximately Sh52 billion (around USD 400 million) from USAID funding cuts in the fiscal year 2024/25.
This shortfall spans critical sectors, including health, education, governance, and food security, according to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi’s testimony before the Senate.
Kenya received about Ksh 83.5 billion in U.S. aid in 2024, with the health sector alone accounting for Ksh 39.5 billion.
The funding freeze has already triggered widespread repercussions threatening health programmes, threatening coverage for HIV treatment, and impacting agricultural and education initiatives.
Kenya’s approach to adress this combines policy reforms, startup innovation, and pilot programmes to connect rural clinics, homes, and urban hospitals through AI-assisted diagnostics, mobile health platforms, and digital patient records.
Amref Health Africa, which serves over 30 million people, reaffirmed its long-term collaboration with WHX.
“Our journey with WHX began in Kigali in 2023, and for the past three years, we’ve built a partnership rooted in shared values around innovation and community-driven care,” said Corazon Aquino, Acting Global Director for Partnerships and External Engagement.
On his part,Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director, Informa Markets, emphasised that the Digital Health Triangle required strong primary care systems, universal access without financial hardship, and digital innovation that connects it all.
