Health Committee Backs KNPHI, Biovax to Strengthen Kenya's Healthcare System Amid Oversight Tour

The National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Health has pledged to support state agencies under its oversight with the policy and budgetary backing needed to improve service delivery and strengthen Kenya's healthcare system.

The commitment was made by Committee Chairperson James Nyikal as the committee launched its budget implementation oversight visits to agencies under the Ministry of Health.

The lawmakers began the exercise with visits to the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) and the Kenya Biovax Institute Limited, where they held separate meetings with the management teams at their headquarters in Kenyatta National Hospital and Embakasi, respectively.

During the engagements, Members of Parliament received briefings on the institutions' performance, ongoing programmes, operational achievements, and the challenges affecting the full implementation of their mandates.

"As a Committee, we are committed to ensuring that state agencies under our oversight receive the necessary policy and budgetary support to enable them to deliver on their mandates effectively," said Dr. Nyikal.

At the Kenya Biovax Institute, Chief Executive Officer Wesley Rono led the MPs on a guided tour of the facility, showcasing ongoing enabling works aimed at establishing a state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing plant. The project is expected to enhance Kenya's capacity to produce vaccines locally and strengthen the country's preparedness for future public health emergencies.

The committee's oversight programme continues on Thursday with visits to the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) and the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCIK).

On Friday, the MPs are scheduled to inspect the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and the Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council (KHHRAC).

The committee will also conduct oversight visits to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP) as part of its broader assessment of the health sector's performance and budget implementation.