Kenya – Netherlands | Life Sciences and Health Combination Track Kenya

Kenyan flag

The Life Sciences and Health Combination Track Kenya brings together organizations and companies in the Kenyan and Dutch LSH sectors with the goal of advance Universal Health Coverage by enhancing access, quality, financing, and responsiveness within the healthcare system. With a focus on Life Sciences and Health, the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi (EKN) and the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO) have prioritized collaborative efforts between the Netherlands and Kenya. Task Force Health Care (TFHC) takes care of the secretariat of the Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the Combi Track Healthcare Kenya. If you are interested in joining the combi track, we encourage you to register here.

Kenyan Healthcare System

In the BHOS policy nota “Doen waar Nederland goed in is”, Kenya has been identified as a key partner for both development cooperation and foreign trade. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has underscored the importance of global health strengthening through its first Dutch Global Health Strategy, emphasizing public-private partnerships and innovative solutions. As part of this strategy, the Global Health Hub was launched in September 2023, with TFHC as a partner.

Efforts to bolster the Kenyan healthcare system must be demand-driven while leveraging the Netherlands’ expertise. Despite improvements in population health indicators, challenges persist, including unequal access to healthcare and a significant lack of funding and human resources. The Kenyan government has initiated various healthcare reforms, including Universal Health Coverage programs and the Big 4 Agenda, aligning with the Kenya Vision 2030. Collaboration with Kisumu County, driven by longstanding ties with the Netherlands, aims to innovate the healthcare system and establish the county as a medical hub for the Great Lakes Region, focusing on integrated healthcare delivery and data-driven decision-making.

What is a combi track at RVO?

A combi track is doing business with impact in emerging markets. A combi track involves a combined multi-year sector approach. Different activities are combined with the same goal. Government, businesses, knowledge institutes and civil society organisations – in the Netherlands and in emerging markets – join forces to cash in on (business) opportunities together. Together, they offer solutions for local challenges in greening and digitalisation. For more information visit the website of RVO.

What concrete opportunities do the combi tracks offer entrepreneurs?

The combitracks approach opens up more international opportunities for entrepreneurs. Think of things like:

  • Multi-year support in cashing in on opportunities in 14 emerging markets.
  • Making it easier to do business in a country and removing trade barriers.
  • Assistance in deploying various instruments from RVO, Invest International and Atradius.
  • Working on tailor-made solutions.
  • Expanding the business network.

The investments also contribute to social and economic progress in the combitrack countries. In other words: a win-win situation. For more information visit the website of RVO.

What is the Combi Track Kenya?

The Combi Track, a collaborative initiative between the Netherlands and Kenya, aims to advance Universal Health Coverage by enhancing access, quality, financing, and responsiveness within the healthcare system. Focused primarily on Kisumu County, Homa Bay County, and potentially the Lake Region Economic Bloc, the initiative leverages local healthcare relationships and political incentives to engage Dutch private sector expertise for system strengthening. With a keen emphasis on improving primary healthcare, the initiative targets enhancements in digital health infrastructure, health data connectivity, referral systems, and public health management.

What is the structure of the Combi Track?

The Combi Track is formed by a group of stakeholders active, or wishing to be active, in Kenya. The Combi Track consists of a broad group of representatives from both the Netherlands and Kenya from the private sector, NGOs, knowledge institutes, and the Netherlands’ government. The Combi Track activities are in principle open to all relevant organizations. From the Combi Track representatives, a small Steering committee (a body of knowledge) will be appointed. Furthermore, TFHC and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi form the Project Management Group (PMU).

The combi track is open for organizations regardless of TFHC partnership. There is no membership fee applicable to participants in the combi track. All organizations must have an active Dutch Chamber of Commerce number (KVK) and have an active office in the Netherlands. Meetings will be attended by invitation. A Code of Conduct will apply to all activities as part of the combi track kenya.

Activities and relevant information 2024

Are you interested in supporting the healthcare sector and strengthening your relationships in Kenya? Then the LSH Combi Track Kenya is tailor-made for you. Kenya serves as Eastern Africa’s economic and innovation hub, with a growing healthcare sector focused on achieving universal health coverage. It’s a promising market for medical devices and supplies, and ranks highly in eHealth innovation. Join us, organized by the Netherlands Embassy in Nairobi, RVO, in collaboration with Task Force Health Care, to explore Kenya’s dynamic healthcare landscape!

Join us at this visit to Nairobi and the annual conference in Kisumu, as we forge deeper ties between Kenya and The Netherlands. Our objective is to enhance local initiatives by infusing them with expertise and international exposure. In our inaugural year, we’re focusing on digitalization, aligning with Kisumu County’s vision and leveraging Dr. Ganda’s leadership as Chair of the Digital Health Committee/Health Secretariat. This event on 14 -18 October 2024 promises to be a catalyst for bilateral collaboration, making it an opportunity not to be missed. We will share more information on the conference soon.

Register now on the website of RVO.

  • Visit from Kenya to NL | December, NL

The incoming visit from Kenya to the Netherlands is aimed at enhancing the knowledge and technical expertise of key stakeholders in Kenya. This structured visit focuses on elevating the technical capabilities of county implementing teams, particularly in areas such as connectivity, interoperability of health data, and health data protection. By adopting interoperability knowledge, we can integrate health data effectively, leading to improved monitoring, distribution, and utilization of Human Resources for Health (HRH) through digital platforms. Moreover, collaborative research efforts will enhance technical capacity at tertiary healthcare levels, minimizing wastage of medical devices and optimizing healthcare technology utilization. This visit also presents opportunities for Kenyan private sector engagement in international partnerships and boosts visibility for Dutch companies offering digital solutions for healthcare systems and HRH management. More information will be shared soon.

How to join the Combi Track?

If you are interested in joining the combi track, we encourage you to register here. Registration for the platform remains open continuously. Your acceptance is subject to a selection process by the PMU.