Kenya and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have embarked on a strategic partnership to enhance healthcare access and quality through digital innovation. This collaboration was highlighted during the state visit of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima to Kenya on March 18, 2025.
During the visit, Open Phences organized and hosted an expert panel discussion titled “Leveraging Digital Health to Achieve Universal Health Coverage in Kenya.” The session convened public and private sector players in digital health to examine the country’s healthcare landscape and explore digital solutions for advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
A Renewed Commitment to Healthcare
The Kingdom of the Netherlands has reinforced its commitment to Kenya’s healthcare sector, marking a new era of collaboration. Open Phences, in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya, the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO), and TaskForce Healthcare, is implementing the Life Sciences and Health Combination Track. This initiative aims to unite organisations and companies from both the Kenyan and Dutch health sectors to enhance UHC by improving access, quality, financing, and responsiveness within the healthcare system.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recognised Kenya as an important partner for development cooperation and foreign trade through the Dutch Global Health Strategy, which prioritises public-private partnerships and innovative healthcare solutions. Strengthening Kenya’s healthcare ecosystem will be demand-driven while leveraging expertise and solutions from the Netherlands.
Policy Advancements Pave the Way
Kenya has made significant advancements in policy frameworks governing efforts toward achieving UHC in recent years. This includes enacting four new laws in 2023: the Digital Health Act, the Primary Healthcare Act, the Social Health Insurance Act, and the Facilities Improvement Financing Act. These laws bolster the UHC pillars of health information management and healthcare financing, complementing existing laws governing health products and technologies (Kenya Medical Supplies Authority Act, 2013) and health workforce management (Health Act, 2017).
Fostering Public-Private Synergy
This auspicious visit lays the foundation for a long-term collaborative partnership, initially focusing on Homa Bay and Kisumu counties before expanding to the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB). Open Phences, alongside its Dutch partners, will prioritise business development, healthcare market intelligence, and ecosystem strengthening to foster improved engagement and enhance expertise in Public-Private Collaborations (PPCs).
Additionally, Open Phences will provide strategic coordination, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge exchange to promote ecosystem cohesion. The team will monitor, evaluate, and implement an adaptive learning agenda to ensure that the Life Sciences and Health Combination Track remains effective in response to Kenya’s evolving socio-political and economic landscape.
