Save the Children Japan and Save the Children Kenya Country Office organized a parliamentarians’ mission to Kenya from April 29th to May 1st.

The purpose of the mission, following last year's visit to Ethiopia, was to promote deeper understanding of the roles Gavi and the Global Fund have played in addressing global health challenges, thereby mobilizing further expansion of Japan’s ODA in the health sector, including maintaining and increasing contributions to both Global Health Initiatives. Also, the mission aimed to support efforts to strengthen global health partnerships. 

Members of the House of Representatives Hon. Mr. Yoichi Fukazawa, Hon. Ms. Ayano Kunimitsu, and Hon. Mr. Tomoaki Shimada participated in the mission. Through meetings with Kenyan government officials, and visits to immunization programs supported by Gavi and Save the Children, as well as infectious disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts by the Global Fund, the delegates observed Kenya’s comprehensive initiatives and the synergies among them to protect the lives and health of mothers and children. 

With staffs from Kianda Health Centre.

First, the delegates visited Kenya’s Ministry of Health, where they learned about the country’s current health challenges and efforts to combat infectious diseases. The current Kenyan administration is focusing on four key pillars in the health sector: health financing, development of a digital health ecosystem, stable supply of medicines and consumables, and expansion of the health workforce.

In addition, several new initiatives have been launched: introduction of a national health insurance scheme, establishment of a digital health agency, creation of primary health and chronic disease funds, development of a primary health network, and strengthening of community health through 100,000 community health volunteers.

Thanks to the support from both Gavi and the Global Fund, Kenya has seen improvements in child mortality rates. However, progress in reducing neonatal mortality remains slow, and the Ministry of Health is now focusing on improving these indicators. During our visit, Kenyan officials also expressed their appreciation for the Japanese government’s continued support through its contributions to the Global Fund and Gavi.

The delegates paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Health and received a briefing on Kenya’s health challenges and the roles of Gavi and the Global Fund in protecting the lives and health of mothers and children.

Next, the delegates visited Mbagathi Health Centre to observe an immunization program supported by Save the Children. Save the Children identifies needs and gaps, and provides support in areas where the health centre's capacity and resources are insufficient. Their initiatives include strengthening and training Community Health Promoters (CHPs), as well as conducting home visits to promote immunizations, raise awareness, and create demands.

At this site, vaccine refrigeration units supported by Gavi and Save the Children were in use. Due to limited space within the facility, a fully equipped cold room for vaccine storage has yet to be established. Hopes were expressed for further support from Japan to expand the facilities. The delegates also observed newborns brought in by their mothers to receive vaccinations.

A poster recording the number of children due for vaccination and the vaccination coverage achieved. The records are kept manually, with plans to digitalize them. (Mbagathi Health Centre)

At Riruta Health Centre, we observed a community-based TB program primarily supported by the Global Fund. Community Health Promoters (CHPs) conducted home visits to ensure that all TB patients and their families receive proper treatment without being left behind. Economic support was also provided for patients with drug-resistant TB, which is particularly difficult to treat and financially burdensome. FUJIFILM’s portable X-ray equipment with AI diagnostic capabilities was also in use, contributing to the early detection of TB.

On the final day, we visited two healthcare facilities in Kibera, the largest informal settlement in Kenya and the second largest in Africa.

The Kianda Health Centre, supported by Save the Children, functions as a general hospital with inpatient services. It addresses a wide range of health needs, including outpatient care, immunization, growth monitoring and nutritional support, treatment of acute malnutrition, antenatal and postnatal care, maternal and child health, family planning, and cervical and breast cancer screening. The facility is operated with support from Gavi, Save the Children, UNICEF, UNFPA, the Red Cross, and governments. It was highlighted that continued donor support including from Japan is essential to meet community needs and maintain 24-hour healthcare services.

An immunization awareness poster. The immunization program is being promoted with support from the Kenyan government and various organizations. (Kianda Health Centre)

A newborn baby receives an oral polio vaccine. (Kianda Health Centre)

At the final site, Kibera Health Centre, after receiving an overview of comprehensive support for the HIV program, we learned about the Mentor Mother initiative. This initiative, launched by the Ministry of Health in 2012 with support from the Global Fund, the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP), and the Kenya Red Cross, aims to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Mentor Mothers, women living with HIV who have successfully prevented transmission to their children, provide peer education, counseling, home visits and follow-up, and household support to other pregnant and postpartum women. It was particularly impactful to hear firsthand experiences directly from the mothers participating in these activities.

As part of the Global Fund’s HIV support program, a Mentor Mother—living with HIV but having successfully prevented mother-to-child transmission—provides health education and psychological support to other pregnant and postpartum women based on her own experience. (Kibera Health Centre)

Although the visit was very brief, throughout the visit the delegates observed that the support from Gavi, the Global Fund, and Save the Children significantly contributes to strengthening Kenya’s health system and plays a vital role in delivering healthcare services to highly vulnerable communities. At the same time, the delegates observed challenges such as shortages of healthcare personnel and resources at medical facilities, highlighting the need for continued funding and efforts to ensure these initiatives remain sustainable.

With health financing shortages becoming an urgent issue due to shifts in aid policies from major donor countries, Gavi plans to hold a replenishment in June and the Global Fund in the latter half of 2025 to secure funding for their next strategic phases. For these next strategies to succeed and protect the lives and health of more mothers and children, the Japanese government is expected to continue its contributions to Gavi and the Global Fund, promoting collaboration among global partners and strengthening support in global health.

Save the Children will continue to widely communicate the roles and achievements of global health initiatives including Gavi and the Global Fund, while advocating for Japan to maintain and expand its support as a major donor moving forward.

With Save the Children Kenya Country Office staffs.