Cuba to send 100 specialist doctors to Kenya in medical exchange plan
About 101 doctors from Cuba are expected in Kenya as part of a medical exchange programme between the two countries.
This comes after Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe signed a new agreement with Cuban Minister of Public Health, Dr Jose Angel Portal Miranda.
The CS is currently on a three-week visit in Cuba, benchmarking on the country’s world class primary health care delivery model, and the South American country’s highly successful programme to combat malaria.
Kenya is initiating a programme to end Malaria disease with Kes 24 billion set towards this ambitious undertaking. Kenya is one of four countries where clinical trials of a Malaria vaccine are underway.
A significant reduction in infections and deaths have been achieved in several Malaria-endemic regions even as the country inches closer to manufacturing own insecticide-treated nets and anti-Malarial drugs.
“There are many opportunities in Cuba that remain untapped, especially in the area of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and vaccines.”
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe
Speaking in Havana, Cuba, the two counterparts lauded the good working ties between the two countries since 2001, especially in the health sector.
CS Kagwe also recognized the South American country for its efforts in supporting Kenya’s health sector through the Brigades and exchange programmes, adding that the contribution of Cuban doctors has been evident in the fight against COVID-19.
“There are many opportunities in Cuba that remain untapped, especially in the area of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and vaccines. We look forward to a more robust collaboration,” he added.
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The Cuban visit comes at a time when the government is looking to improve and strengthen Kenya’s primary healthcare system as a catalyst to achieving universal healthcare.
In March 2018, as part of improving service delivery in the health sector, Kenya allowed several Cuban doctors to help fill gaps in county hospitals.
Not long ago, 90 Kenyan doctors came back home from Cuba after receiving specialized training as part of the medical exchange programme.
These doctors are being absorbed into county hospitals to help boost health services delivery capacity.
In addition, other Cuban health professionals are in the country to help in mapping out key mosquito breeding sites under a two-year project on the use of biological methods to control mosquito vectors.
