Kenya has partnered with Egypt to improve its military medical services, by enhancing its response to health emergencies, training medical personnel, and preparing for health challenges during peace and conflict times.
This collaboration will see the two countries jointly train military health workers, exchange technical expertise and conduct research on key medical issues affecting soldiers, such as trauma management, infectious diseases and mental health.
It will also enable doctors, nurses, and medical technicians from both countries to work and train in each other’s facilities as they seek to expand their skills and become familiar with advanced medical technologies.
“By working together, pooling our expertise and sharing resources, we can significantly enhance the operational effectiveness and humanitarian outreach of our military medical services in both countries,” said Brigadier Japheth Ndegwa, Kenya’s Acting Director of Medical Services.
Egypt already runs one of Africa’s most advanced military medical systems, complete with major hospitals and research institutions, and has decades of experience in battlefield surgery and medical logistics.
In turn, Kenya has made significant strides in incorporating mental health, wellness, and community-based care into its military healthcare system.
Brigadier Hytham Maher, co-chair of the Kenya-Egypt joint military committee, said that the collaboration would benefit not only the two countries, but also help to strengthen regional health and security ties.
“We are very thankful for the opportunity to strengthen relations between our two countries, as this will open doors to collaboration in various industries, including health. A healthy nation builds itself up to become a great nation,” said Brigadier Maher.
Kenya has been steadily investing in its military health system. A key project currently in progress is the Forces Referral and Research Hospital in Kabete, which is being developed at a cost of Sh19.3 billion.
This new facility, which will have 700 beds, is expected to become one of East Africa's leading centres for military healthcare, training and research.
In the current financial year, the Ministry of Defence received approximately Sh214 billion to run its operations.
The Directorate of Medical Services (DMS) of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is responsible for the health of soldiers and their families, as well as civilians in times of emergency.
The DMS runs a network of hospitals and medical centres, including the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital (DFMH), which provides specialised care and referrals, and the Defence Forces Wellness Centre (DFWC), which focuses on mental health and rehabilitation.
