Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) CEO Dr. Kelly Oluoch joined global health leaders at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, reinforcing Kenya’s commitment to advancing health priorities on the global stage.
Dr. Oluoch accompanied the Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, EBS, during a high-level briefing with the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom.
The Assembly brought together policymakers, technical experts, and health leaders to discuss pressing health challenges affecting populations worldwide.
This year’s Assembly focused on critical topics, including maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition, health workforce training and mobility, strengthening local medicine manufacturing, and the global campaign to eliminate neglected tropical diseases such as snake bites.
Delivering Kenya’s national statement on the Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition,
Dr. Oluoch expressed the country’s strong support for extending the Plan to 2030.
“Kenya has made notable progress, including a reduction in stunting from 35% in 2008 to 18% in 2022, an increase in exclusive breastfeeding rates from 32% to 61%, and a decline in childhood overweight cases from 5% to 3%,” he said.
Despite these gains, Dr. Oluoch noted the need for sustained efforts to address regional inequalities, climate change-related disruptions, and food insecurity.
He emphasized integrating nutrition within Universal Health Coverage (UHC) frameworks and aligning interventions with national education, food system, and social protection strategies.
Calling for stronger partnerships, he urged WHO and development agencies to provide technical and financial support to Member States to enhance the nutrition agenda's implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
“Kenya stands ready to collaborate with other nations and global partners to ensure that every child not only survives but thrives,” Dr. Oluoch affirmed.
The World Health Assembly is WHO's decision-making body and plays a critical role in shaping health policies that affect billions worldwide.
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