By Joseph Maina
The Turkish Government through the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) has planned to facilitate health programs in the Kenya.
In August the Turkish Government in collaboration with various Turkish NGOs will facilitate a health camp in Kenya featuring 14 volunteer dental students from Turkey.
In another mission, the Turkish Government in conjunction with the Government of Hungary will hold a joint health camp in Kiambu Hospital. The health camp will form part of a health week that will include minor operations. TIKA has also supported the eye health agenda and will do another catch-up eye week in Isiolo in July.
“In addition, we have contributed in maternal and child health sectors,” said Mr Emre Yuksek, TIKA Program Coordinator in Kenya. “We have trained health professionals and have done capacity building. We believe in Public Private Partnerships. In this regard, we went to bring in entrepreneurs who are working in the health sector to tap into potential in Kenya.”
Other interventions include four ambulances donated to Kenya.
Turkey is also keen on strengthening exchange programs between the two countries, added Mr Yuksek. He spoke at the Turkish Embassy in Nairobi during the second commemoration of Turkey’s Failed Coup Attempt of July 15, 2016.
The event recalls the fateful night two years ago when members of the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETO) attempted to depose the democratically elected government of Turkey. The violent terror campaign lasted several hours from10PMon the fateful night, leaving 279 Turkish citizens dead and more than 2000 wounded.
“We regard Kenya as a very important partner in East Africa,” said Turkey’s Ambassador to Kenya H.E Ahmet Cemil Miroglu. “Turkey is following very closely the agenda in Kenya, and the Turkish Prime Secretary is very well aware of the Big Four Agenda.”
The ambassador said Turkish firms are already in the country working on some projects that will contribute to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda, which include universal healthcare.
