MTRH CEO welcomes Pfizer delegation to strengthen regional specialized healthcare delivery

KENYA—Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Albert Bourla has visited Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) as part of the pharmaceutical company’s ongoing engagement with Kenya’s healthcare sector.

During the visit, Dr. Bourla and the Pfizer leadership team held discussions with MTRH management and healthcare professionals on the hospital’s specialized services, particularly in oncology and pathology.

The discussions also explored opportunities for collaboration to strengthen access to quality healthcare and specialized medical services.

MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Philip Kirwa welcomed the Pfizer delegation and highlighted the importance of partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies in supporting the hospital’s efforts to improve patient care.

Focus on cancer care and specialized services

The discussions placed particular attention on oncology, an area in which MTRH provides specialized services to patients from across Kenya and the wider region.

The hospital also shared information on its pathology services, which play an important role in diagnosing and managing cancer and other diseases.

Dr. Kirwa said collaboration with pharmaceutical companies could support efforts to expand access to advanced cancer care and strengthen the hospital’s capacity to respond to the growing demand for specialized services.

He also pointed to opportunities for cooperation beyond access to medicines.

These include medical research, healthcare innovation, professional capacity building and the adoption of advanced healthcare technologies.

Opportunities for research and innovation

The engagement also provided an opportunity for Pfizer and MTRH to explore areas where their respective expertise and resources could support healthcare development in Kenya.

Medical research emerged as a potential area of collaboration, with partnerships offering opportunities to strengthen evidence generation and support the development and adoption of innovative approaches to disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Capacity building could also form part of future collaboration, particularly through opportunities that enhance the skills of healthcare professionals working in specialized fields.

MTRH has continued to develop its role as a referral and teaching institution, providing specialized medical services while supporting the training of healthcare professionals.

Engagement with international pharmaceutical companies could complement these efforts by creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and exposure to emerging healthcare technologies.

The visit comes as Kenya continues to strengthen partnerships across the healthcare sector to improve access to specialized treatment and essential medicines.

For MTRH, engagement with global pharmaceutical companies provides an opportunity to identify areas where external expertise and resources can support its clinical, research and training functions.

Dr. Bourla’s visit included meetings with hospital leaders and healthcare professionals, with discussions focusing on MTRH’s specialized services and potential areas of cooperation with Pfizer.

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