ADDRESSING NEGLECTED DISEASES
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Monday May 12, 2025 held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Monique Wasunna, Africa Ambassador for the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), to deepen partnerships in the development of new treatments for neglected diseases, with a focus on Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis), clinical trials, regulatory processes, and health system preparedness.
The meeting also discussed Kenya’s participation in a key side event at the upcoming 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), themed “Accelerating Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Progress through Country-Driven Efforts and Cross-Border Collaboration.” The event will mark the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding to eliminate Kala-azar and endorse the global Call to Action—Uniting for Impact, aimed at fast-tracking progress toward ending NTDs.
Dr. Wasunna further shared DNDi’s five-pillar strategic framework targeting the elimination of VL as a public health problem in East Africa by improving the health of vulnerable and at-risk populations.
Duale on his part reaffirmed the Kenyan government’s commitment to integrating NTD treatments into national health strategies, in line with Kenya’s Health Sector Strategic Plan, Vision 2030, and the UHC agenda. He underscored the Ministry’s efforts in combating Kala-azar, currently affecting 11 counties, and advancing equitable healthcare access in marginalized communities.
