11 March 2011, Nairobi --The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis G. Sambo, today in Nairobiheld discussions with the Kenyan Minister for Public Health and Sanitation, Hon. Beth Mugo, and theMinister for Medical Services, Hon. Anyang’ Nyong’o. Present at the meeting were the WHO Country Representative, Dr Abdoulie Jack, and the Permanent Secretaries of both Ministries.

Among the issues discussed was the progress made so far in public health campaigns aimed at reducing the malaria burden and in combatting childhood diseases in the country; the successful launch of the mass distribution campaign of Impregnated Treated Nets, as well as the recent introduction of the pneumococcal vaccine under the patronage of His Excellency, President Mwai Kibaki. These developments were noted as shining examples of Kenya’s continued resolve to take meaningful steps to improvethe health of its people. The Regional Director congratulated the Government of Kenya for these recent developments and reiterated WHO’s commitment to continue its support to the country to enable it meetthe health targets set out in the Millennium Development Goals and in the country’s Vision 2030.

Hon. Mugo called on WHO to facilitate the process of prequalification of health products manufactured in Africa and challenged WHO for a greater involvement in the process of strengthening the capacity for local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in Africa. The Regional Director gave the assurance that WHO remains a reliable partner committed to ensuring compliance with international norms and standards for good manufacturing practices and the availability of quality medicines.

Hon. Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o noted the importance of deploying highly skilled nursing staff with midwifery training at all levels of the health services in order to reduce both maternal and childhood mortality, as well as improve the general health of communities. It was noted that the main challenges facing Kenya were the skills, numbers and deployment of health care personnel for ensuring quality health care. He called on WHO to assist the Kenya Government build the capacity of nurses and midwives in order to strengthen the health care delivery system.

The Regional Director commended the role Kenya played during the last session of the WHO Executive Board in which the role of nurses and midwives was raised by African delegates in the context of a Global Resolution to strengthen health systems.

Dr Sambo and Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o also discussed the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases in Africa, which is also a matter of global concern. The Kenyan minister stressed the importance of active participation of African delegates at the preparatory meeting for the African Consultation on Noncommunicable Diseases which will be held in Brazzaville from 4th to 6th April, April. This will ensure that African delegates will present a common front at the Global Conference on NCDs which will take place in Moscow on 27th April, 2011, under the auspices of the UN and the Government of the Russiona Federation.

Both Kenyan ministries expressed satisfaction with the support which the country was receiving from WHO and called on Dr Sambo to continue to make Africa rank high on the global health agenda.