Japan gives Kenya Sh8bn loan to support Universal Health coverage with focus on fighting COVID-19

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 -Kenya is set to receive an Sh8 billion loan from the Japanese government to support Universal health coverage. 

The funding becomes the second phase of a project that was started in 2015 with an initial Sh4 billion loan to support the cause.

While exchanging the notes with Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani, Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Horie Ryoichi said the latest funding is also meant to help Kenya fight against COVID-19.

Japan’s Health Sector Policy Loan for Attainment of the Universal Health Coverage in Kenya therefore totals to Sh12 billion, to date.

The latest supports adds to efforts by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, in which it has provided water treatment chemicals for water purification to nine water service providers around the country to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic first confirmed in the country, Japan has been supporting the Government of Kenya in various ways in the fight against the virus,” the Ambassador said.

In addition, 340 million Kenya Shillings was disbursed through UNDP and UNICEF to strengthen the health system and provide the much needed medical equipment to hospitals.