The Czech Republic will help Kenya to enhance its healthcare system in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic

23.09.2021 / 10:38 | Aktualizováno: 24.09.2021 / 14:03

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Martin Tlapa visited Kenya from 19 to 22 September 2021. He held political consultations with the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya Macharia Kamau, he met with the Head of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services Lieutenant General Mohammed Badi as well as the Deputy Minister of Health. Deputy Minister Tlapa also met with members of the business community. Considering the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, great attention during the visit was devoted to deepening of cooperation in the field of health. The Czech Republic will help Kenya by providing vaccines and equipment for hospitals and medical centres.

Kenya belongs to the most promising economies in sub-Saharan Africa; its economy grew by 5 – 7 per cent annually. Agriculture represents significant a part of its GDP; two thirds of GDP are generated by services which are growing thanks to the development of tourism and information technologies. Kenya is the leading economic power of the East African Community. The Czech Republic belongs to important economic partners of Kenya, with bilateral trade of approx. 35 - 40 million USD p.a.

During the bilateral consultations, Deputy Minister Tlapa and his counterpart Principal Secretary Kamau both showed interest in developing strategic cooperation. Deputy Minister Tlapa assured his partner that, assuming the EU Presidency of the Council of European Union in second half 2022, the Czech Republic will support closer cooperation between the EU and African countries. Both Deputy Ministers appreciated the positive development of bilateral economic relations. Healthcare, agriculture and water management were identified as perspective fields for deepening of economic cooperation. The Czech Republic appreciates the stabilization role played by Kenya in the region and supports Kenya in tackling Islamic terrorism through intensive bilateral cooperation in the defence sector. The Czech Republic highly appreciates successful cooperation with Kenya in the protection of endangered wildlife. The projects for saving the northern white rhinos and supporting populations of cheetahs are unique in this regard. Deputy Minister Tlapa invited his counterpart to visit the Czech Republic and, at the same time, reminded him of the standing invitation for the Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta requested Lieutenant General Mohammed Badi, Director General of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services, to supervise services and infrastructure projects in Nairobi. Therefore, he expressed great interest in developing cooperation with Czech companies in the field of traffic management, healthcare system and water and sanitation management. Lieutenant General Badi took part in the reception hosted by the Czech Embassy for the Kenyan partners and the diplomatic corps.

The need for a joint approach in combating the Covid-19 pandemic was underlined during the discussion with the Deputy Minister of Health Mr. Rashid Aman. The Czech Republic will help Kenya by providing vaccines. Specific possibilities for cooperation between private companies from both countries were discussed with the members of the Kenya Healthcare Federation and Africa Healthcare Federation during the working dinner and other contacts with the representatives of the Kenyan business community.

During his meeting with students of the St. Philip Neri Primary School, Deputy Minister Tlapa personally delivered colour pencil sets presented by the Czech company Koh-i-noor. Students sang Czech folk songs which they performed flawlessly in Czech and accompanied them with typical African dances.