Thailand and Kenya have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC).
The MoU was signed by Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn and Kenya Public Health Minister Sicily Kariuki on the sidelines of the Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2019, held at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre yesterday.
The collaboration focuses on helping Kenya achieving UHC in three areas -- insurance and financing, prioritising benefits packages and technology assessment, and human resource development.
"The Republic of Kenya is one of the long-standing partners of Thailand," said Dr Piyasakol. "This MoU marks a significant milestone for health collaboration between the two countries."
In 2002, Thailand introduced a universal healthcare scheme which today provides health access to over 49 million Thais regardless of their financial status.
Collaboration between the two nations is a step towards achieving the United Nations's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), said Dr Piyasakol. The SDGs are a set of targets the UN would like to see met by 2030, with an emphasis on health equity.
Last year, Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta launched a UHC pilot programme in four counties -- Isiolo, Kisumu, Nyeri and Machakos -- covering over 3.2 million Kenyans or 6.5% of the country's total population.