The Swedish State Secretary, Karin Juhlin, and Ambassador Håkan Åkesson visited the Amref Kibera Community Health Centre in Nairobi County to witness the impact of Sweden’s investments through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, reaffirming the country’s commitment to ending TB and strengthening health systems.
During the visit, the delegation experienced the services offered at the health facility, including TB and HIV services, Maternal and Child services, and Curative services, among others. The State secretary and the members of the delegation engaged with Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and TB survivors working at the frontline of Kenya’s TB response. They also observed how digital health innovations such as the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) and TIBU are transforming service delivery, enabling faster diagnosis, real-time data sharing, and more efficient resource management.
The State Secretary commended the progress Kenya has made through Global Fund support, emphasising the importance of partnerships that translate investment into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
“The Swedish government remains committed to working with development partners in low- and middle-income countries, investing in resilient health systems that can withstand future health threats,” said Ms Juhlin.
Ambassador Åkesson echoed the State Secretary’s remarks, commending Kenya’s progress in TB prevention, treatment, and overall health system strengthening. During the facility tour, it was noted that the centre has achieved a viral suppression rate of 99 per cent among all people living with HIV on treatment, and that no child has contracted HIV through mother-to-child transmission in the past three years. These milestones reflect the collective impact of support from the Global Fund and other partners,demonstrating how sustained collaboration continues to improve community health outcomes in Kenya’s informal settlements.
John Mungai, Amref’s Global Fund TB Project Officer, welcomed the Swedish delegation and acknowledged the long-standing partnership between Kenya, Sweden, and the Global Fund. “The success of Kenya’s TB and HIV response is a testament to the power of global solidarity and local leadership. he remarked.
Global Fund’s Leadership in the Fight Against TB
Since 2003, Kenya and the Global Fund have forged a strong partnership, investing more than US$2 billion to combat HIV, TB, and malaria. The collaboration has led to significant health gains, with TB incidence steadily declining over the last decade.
Building on this momentum, Kenya and the Global Fund signed six new grants in 2024 worth US$407 million for the 2024–2027 period, alongside US$15 million in matching funds to accelerate equitable, community-driven responses. These investments focus on finding and treating missing TB cases, reducing transmission, and strengthening systems for disease surveillance, diagnostics, and treatment adherence.
Sweden, as one of the Global Fund’s founding donors and a key member of its Board, continues to play a pivotal role in driving progress against the three epidemics. Its contributions have not only saved lives but also strengthened health systems and advanced global health security. Through sustained funding, Sweden helps partner countries enhance pandemic preparedness, control antimicrobial resistance, and deliver community-based healthcare.
The visit to Kibera reinforced Sweden’s continued commitment to the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment, which aims to mobilise US$18 billion for 2027–2029 to close health financing gaps and sustain progress in low- and middle-income countries. A successful 8th Replenishment could save up to 23 million lives between 2027 and 2029 and reduce mortality from AIDS, TB, and malaria by 64% by 2029, compared to 2023 levels.
The partnership between Sweden, the Global Fund, and Kenya demonstrates how global solidarity and evidence-based investment can deliver measurable impact at the community level. It highlights the power of collaboration to build resilient health systems capable of responding not only to TB but also to future health challenges.
About The Global Fund TB Project in Kenya, Implemented by Amref Health Africa
Over the past four years, the Global Fund TB project implemented by Amref Health Africa in Kenya has reached over half a million people with TB prevention, care, and treatment services, strengthening community-led responses, accelerating diagnosis through innovation, and building a more resilient health system across the country.
About Kibera Community Health Centre
Amref Kibera Community Health Centre is a level 3 health facility located in Laini Saba, Kibra, Nairobi County, serving Kibera informal settlement, the largest urban slum in Nairobi and Africa. The Centre plays a critical role in providing accessible primary healthcare services to the most vulnerable community.
Author: Wekesa Noah – Communications Specialist, Amref Health Africa
Editor: Edna Mosiara, Ag. Communications Manager, Amref Health Africa in Kenya