Kenya seeks health specialists from Cuba to bridge gap

Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu

The Government has signed a deal that will see Cuban health specialists hired to address shortages.

According to a deal signed on May 23 during Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu's visit to Geneva, Switzerland, for the World Health Assembly, the expatriates will deal with non-communicable diseases and some complex surgeries,

The collaboration will also include the pharmaceutical sector.

Kenya will collaborate with Cuban pharmaceutical companies to explore opportunities for investment, especially in the manufacture of anti-retroviral and anti-malaria medicines, vaccines and medical gases.

Cuba will also provide capacity for drug manufacturing in oncology, cardiovascular surgery, equipment and device registration.

Cuba was one of the countries Kenya had sought assistance from during the 100-day doctors' strike that paralysed the health sector.