The support is aimed at enhancing disease surveillance, infection control and pandemic response capacity….reports Asian Lite News Desk
India on Wednesday handed over the first tranche of 4.5 tonnes of medical assistance to Kenya to strengthen the country’s preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease, other infectious diseases and future pandemics.
The consignment was formally handed over by India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Adarsh Swaika, to Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, according to a statement issued by the High Commission of India.
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. A second tranche of assistance is expected to be delivered soon.
According to the High Commission, the assistance is intended to strengthen Kenya’s long-term public health preparedness rather than serve as a short-term intervention.
“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 statement said.
The latest assistance follows India’s supply of more than 45 tonnes of medical supplies to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in late May and early June 2026 to support the continent’s Ebola preparedness.
“The 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,” the statement added.
Highlighting the long-standing health partnership between the two countries, the High Commission noted that India had supported Kenya during previous public health emergencies. During the Covid-19 pandemic, India supplied 1.12 million doses of Made-in-India vaccines under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, along with essential medicines and other medical assistance.
The statement also highlighted India’s grant assistance for strengthening Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure. This includes the supply of a Bhabhatron radiotherapy machine to Kenyatta National Hospital to improve cancer treatment services, as well as a CT scanner and an MRI machine, currently under process, for the Kenya Navy Hospital in Mombasa.
“India has been one of the first responders in Kenya during public health challenges,” the High Commission said.
It added that more than 10,000 Kenyans travel to India each year for medical treatment, attracted by affordable and high-quality healthcare services. Indian pharmaceutical products account for more than half of Kenya’s pharmaceutical market, making India the country’s leading pharmaceutical partner.
The High Commission reaffirmed that India and Kenya continue to expand cooperation in healthcare through the supply of medicines and medical equipment, capacity building, training programmes and institutional partnerships.
“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,” the statement said.
