NEW DELHI: Indian High Commissioner to Kenya Adarsh Swaika Tuesday handed over the first tranche of medical assistance, weighing 4.5 tonnes, to the country’s cabinet secretary for health Aden Duale at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The medical assistance is intended to strengthen Kenya’s long-term preparedness and response capacity for Ebola Virus Disease, other infectious diseases and future pandemic threats.The first tranche comprises 279 packages of essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, sample transportation kits, infrared thermometers, face shields, heavy-duty protective boots and other infection-prevention materials. The second tranche of medical assistance will be sent soon.“The assistance is envisaged not merely as a short-term intervention, but to strengthen resilient and sustained public health preparedness. It will support the Kenya National Public Health Institute and other frontline public health institutions by strengthening capacities for disease surveillance, safe collection and transportation of samples, infection prevention and control, and protection of frontline healthcare personnel, thereby enhancing Kenya’s readiness to detect, contain and respond effectively to Ebola Virus Disease, other emerging infectious diseases and future pandemics,” the High Commission of India in Nairobi said in a statement.
“This assistance follows medical supplies of over 45 tonnes to the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in late May and early June 2026, to support the continent’s preparedness and response to Ebola Virus Disease. It reflects India’s broader commitment to strengthening public health and pandemic preparedness across Africa,” it added.India has been one of the first responders in Kenya during public health challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India supplied 1.12 million doses of Made in India’ vaccines to Kenya under its Vaccine Maitri initiative, in addition to providing essential medicines and other medical assistance. The strong health partnership between the two countries extends beyond emergency support. In recent years, India has provided, on grant basis,a Bhabhatron radiotherapy machine to Kenyatta National Hospital for enhancing its cancer treatment capacity, a CT scan machine and an MRI machine (under process) to the Kenya Navy Hospital in Mombasa to further strengthen its healthcare infrastructure. Every year, more than 10,000 Kenyans travel to India for medical treatment, drawn by India’s affordable, accessible and high-quality healthcare services. India is also Kenya’s leading pharmaceutical partner, with Indian pharmaceutical products accounting for over 50% of Kenya’s pharmaceutical market, ensuring the availability of quality and affordable medicines across the country,” it added.India and Kenya enjoy a longstanding partnership in the health sector, encompassing the supply of medicines and medical equipment, capacity building and training, affordable healthcare, and cooperation between their respective health institutions. The assistance reflects India’s people-centric development partnership with Kenya and its commitment to supporting partner countries in Africa in building stronger and more resilient health systems.
