Kenya, UK organisations seal deal to strengthen healthcare
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday held talks with visiting officials of the University of Manchester and Christie NHS Foundation where a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening healthcare sector in the country was signed.
The meeting at State House, Nairobi was a follow-up of the signing of an MoU between Kenya and the two British institutions on the sidelines of the recent UK-Africa investment summit in London.
Through the partnership, the University of Manchester and Christie NHS Foundation Trust will collaborate with Kenyatta University Teaching and Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases with special emphasis on cancer and mental health.
The agreement provides for the training as well as exchange of health professionals including Kenyan nurses who will get an opportunity to serve in Britain.
Kenya will benefit from a comprehensive skills upgrade programme for health experts in specialist areas such as heart, kidney and cancer diseases.
Uhuru expressed gratitude to the UK officials saying their coming to Kenya immediately after their London talks demonstrates a genuine desire to partner with Kenya in the health sector.
Research centre
He said through this partnership, Kenya will receive support to establish a cancer centre of excellence at the KUTRRH.
“Our desire is not only to make Kenyatta University a centre for research and treatment but also to reduce the costs in treatment of non-communicable diseases,” the President said, adding that the cancer centre will be linked to regional hubs to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Speaking on behalf of the University of Manchester and the Christie NHS Foundation Prof Keith Brennan said his team is determined to ensure the collaboration works for the good of the two countries.
“We are grateful to be here soon after our engagement in the UK and we are looking forward to finalising this historic venture,” said Prof Keith who is also the Associate Dean for Internationalisation at Manchester University.
