WHO chief visits Kenya to deepen cooperation in health sector

NAIROBI, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday kicked off a two-day tour in Kenya to deepen cooperation with the East African nation in health sector.

Speaking to reporters in Kenyan capital Nairobi, Ghebreyesus said the global health agency will strengthen partnership with Kenya to attain ambitious targets like universal health coverage.

"The purpose of my visit is to discuss progress Kenya has made in health sector and how we can strengthen our cooperation," he said.

The WHO chief had earlier held discussion with Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Health Cleopa Mailu to discuss strategic areas of partnership aimed at revitalizing health care services in the country.

During his two day visit to Kenya, Ghebreyesus will also meet President Uhuru Kenyatta and reaffirm the commitment by multilateral agencies to help the country achieve health-related sustainable development goals.

The WHO boss is also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Nairobi-headquartered UN Environment Programme (UNEP) that will focus on collaborative efforts between the two agencies in areas of health and environment.

The pact will specifically focus on implementation of the third UN Environment Assembly (UNEA3) resolutions on air pollution, health and environment, chemicals, water and sanitation as part of the wider health, environment and climate change coalition.

Ghebreyesus will also visit a public hospital in Kiambu County on the outskirts of Nairobi to assess the capacity of Kenya's health infrastructure to deal with the rising disease burden.

Ghebreyesus, also former Ethiopian Foreign Minister, said the international community will rally behind Kenyatta's core agenda in his second term that include food security and universal health coverage.

"A good opportunity has opened for us to contribute to one of the four pillars outlined by President Kenyatta such as food security, housing, employment and universal health coverage," said Ghebreyesus.

"Our priority is to contribute to health and well being of Kenyans," he added.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Cleopa Mailu said a partnership with WHO will help revitalize Kenya's health system in the light of devolution. Enditem