President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on international pharmaceuticals to reduce the cost of medicines against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDS)
He said fair pricing and ethical practices will ensure patients can afford the life-saving medicines.
Addressing a plenary session on the prevention and control of NCDs at the ongoing 73rd session on United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Kenyatta said access to essential medicines and technologies is key for effective management of NCDs.
“I call on non-state actors including the pharmaceutical industries and private health service providers to partner with governments to bring down costs of treatment through fair pricing and ethical practices,” said President Kenyatta.
The President said Kenya aims to guarantee access to quality NCD care through an integrated primary health care approach that emphasizes preventive and promotive health intervention that encourages the adoption of healthy lifestyles.
Additionally, said the head of State, the government has committed itself to invest in additional and sustainable domestic financing to halt and reverse the burden of NCDs.
“To this end, we are embracing strategic partnerships and harnessing innovations from the private sector and other non-state actors in the entire continuum of NCDs,” he said
President Kenyatta, however, called on the international community to consider putting in place an incentive fund to stimulate the development of national NCD and mental health interventions and policy coherence for low and middle-income countries.
He said under the Big-4 pillar, Universal Healthcare has prioritized early diagnosis, screening, and treatment of chronic NCDs.
