Kenya enters deal with India to start making Aids drugs

Indian PM Narendra Modi inspects a guard of honour mounted by Kenya Airforce at State House Nairobi on Monday July 11, 2016. Photo/PSCU
By ABDULHAKIM SHERMAN
newsdesk@dailyreporter.co.ke
Kenya is set to start manufacturing Aids drugs following a pact with India after bilateral talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi.
Prime minister Modi said the Asian country will help Kenya to start manufacturing antiretroviral (ARVs), a move that is expected to address the twin problems of affordability and supplies.
Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi also said his country will donate equipment to Kenyan public hospitals.
“This will make Kenya the regional medical hub” he noted.
India is renowned for a relatively well developed healthcare system with thousands of Kenyans flying to New Delhi to seek treatment.
The Indian PM also said they will finance the construction of a cancer facility in Kenya to offer affordable health care.
President Kenyatta on Monday morning received Prime Minister Modi at State House, Nairobi.
The Indian PM received an elaborate state reception complete with a 19-gun salute.
He then inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Kenya Air Force.
On Monday morning, the Indian leader began the second and final day of his visit by laying a wreath at the mausoleum of Kenya’s founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
On his arrival at State House, he was received by his host President Kenyatta. Other dignitaries who received him were Deputy President William Ruto, several Cabinet secretaries and Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces Gen Samson Mwathethe.
President Kenyatta and the Indian PM later held bilateral talks, before holding a joint press briefing.
Indian manufacturers dominate the ARVs market, a trend that has earned it the Pharmacy to the developing world, moniker.
Exim bank of India has issued a Sh13. 1 billion (USD130 million) credit line to revamp Rivatex factory and another Sh1.5 billion to revamp Kenya’s industrial development bank to boost SMEs.
Cooperation deals were signed between Modi and Kenyatta in energy, trade, geothermal, tourism, defense and agriculture
The Indian leader’s visit is expected to deepen trade between the two countries and help reduce the huge trade imbalance, which is in favour of India.
India exports goods worthy Sh116 billion against Kenya’s Sh4 billion.
Mr Modi, who is on a State Visit, arrived in the country Sunday afternoon and headed directly to Safaricom Kasarani Sports Complex, where together with President Kenyatta, addressed the Indian community in Kenya.