Kenya joined global leaders at the UN General Assembly in spotlighting oral health as a critical component of the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The high-level roundtable and reception were held at Goals House, Tavern on the Green, New York.
The event, organised by Colgate-Palmolive, evaluated global progress in combating oral diseases and explored impactful interventions to improve population health worldwide.
Representing Kenya, Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to accelerating progress against NCDs through innovative, integrated, and equity-centred approaches.
Oluga noted that nearly half of the world’s population suffers from oral diseases closely linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, adding that oral health must be elevated within the global NCD agenda.
Dr Oluga highlighted Kenya’s advances, including the National Oral Health Policy (2022–2030) and National Oral Health Strategic Plan, both of which embed oral health in broader health sector reforms.
He further cited the inclusion of an oral health module in the 2025 National STEP Survey, integration of oral health into community health promoter training, and the success of Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached over 15 million Kenyan children.
The Principal Secretary called for cross-sector collaboration, emphasising that oral health intersects with education, agriculture, environment, and finance, and urged the global community to adopt policies that reflect its strategic role in reducing the burden of NCDs.
Distinguished guests at the event included Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation; Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children US; and Dr Maria Ryan, Chief Clinical Officer at Colgate-Palmolive.
During a different session held earlier, Kenya unveiled plans to make sickle cell screening mandatory in routine maternal and child health visits.
Oluga represented President William Ruto at a high-level event on sickle cell disease during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Dr Oluga decried the neglect of sickle cell disease, noting that millions of Africans continue to suffer in silence and that many die painful, preventable deaths.
Mandatory screening is a bold step aimed at ensuring no child is left behind.