Aiden Kiprop 
Boehringer Ingelheim, a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) to amplify the impact of its ‘Access to Healthcare’ program in Kenya.
The collaboration seeks to improve access to affordable, life-saving medications for patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension while strengthening local healthcare capacity through strategic partnerships.
Launched in September 2022, the ‘Access to Healthcare’ program is an end-to-end patient support initiative designed to provide equitable healthcare access to underserved communities in Kenya.
The program focuses on enhancing disease management, offering medical treatments through subsidized pricing models, and ensuring patient adherence to medication for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. With plans to expand across the region in the coming years, the program has already engaged over 200 physicians, enrolled more than 1,500 patients, and partnered with 15 healthcare facilities as of December 2024.
Non-communicable diseases remain a significant health challenge in Kenya, accounting for an estimated 27% of all deaths. Through this partnership, Boehringer Ingelheim and MEDS aim to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes and hypertension in local communities, encouraging early diagnosis and treatment to preserve patients’ quality of life.
At the signing ceremony in Nairobi, Derek O’Leary, Regional Managing Director at Boehringer Ingelheim for India, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (IMETA), emphasized the company’s commitment to equitable healthcare.
“Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right. Our ‘Access to Healthcare’ program bridges the gap for underserved communities, ensuring patients receive life-saving treatments at subsidized costs. This partnership with MEDS is a game-changer in combating the growing burden of NCDs in Kenya, delivering hope and building a more resilient healthcare system for future generations,” he said.
Hale Asikoglu-Erkol, Head of Sustainable Development for Generations at Boehringer Ingelheim in IMETA, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“Sustainable healthcare solutions require long-term commitment, strategic partnerships, and a deep understanding of local needs. The MoU with MEDS supports our ambition to expand healthcare access for underserved communities, enabling a healthier, more equitable future for patients in Kenya,” she added.
Dr. Stephen Kigera, representing MEDS Management, underscored the organization’s dedication to improving health outcomes in Kenya.
“Through this partnership, we aim to provide eligible patients with the latest innovations in treatment from Boehringer Ingelheim. We also hope to raise awareness of these diseases to encourage early diagnosis and treatment, ultimately preserving the quality of life for patients,” he stated.
Boehringer Ingelheim’s Sustainable Development for Generations framework is committed to addressing unmet medical needs and fostering a healthier, more sustainable future.
By 2030, the company aims to expand healthcare access for 50 million people in underserved communities, investing 35 billion EUR in health innovation and research to tackle NCDs and an additional 250 million EUR in partnerships to combat emerging infectious diseases.
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in Kenya’s fight against NCDs, demonstrating the power of strategic partnerships in transforming healthcare access and outcomes for vulnerable populations.
