The County Government of Uasin Gishu, in collaboration with its Swedish partner, Region Östergötland, joined other global partners at the ICLD (Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy) Network Meeting.

The meeting brought together delegates from across Africa and Sweden to strengthen local democracy, foster sustainable partnerships, and share knowledge on advancing equitable service delivery.

The Uasin Gishu–Östergötland delegation played an active role in discussions centered on the Equity in Cancer Care Partnership — a collaborative initiative aimed at improving access to quality cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Through mutual learning and capacity building, the partners continue to work towards bridging gaps in cancer care and ensuring that patients in all communities receive timely and effective services.

Reflecting on the progress made so far, the delegation highlighted key milestones in community outreach, health systems strengthening, and workforce development. They also explored new avenues for collaboration to deepen the impact of the partnership and promote sustainable, people-centered healthcare solutions.

The engagement reaffirmed the partners’ shared commitment to ICLD’s core values — equity, transparency, accountability, and participation — as guiding principles for inclusive healthcare. Innovation and shared responsibility were emphasized as key drivers in ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against cancer.

In a joint statement, Project Coordinator Dr. Loice Luhumyo and Primary Healthcare Coordinator Collette Chirchir expressed appreciation to ICLD for providing a platform that enhances international cooperation and strengthens local capacity through peer-to-peer partnerships grounded in democratic values and inclusive development.

“This collaboration continues to inspire transformative change in healthcare delivery, empowering counties to build resilient systems and achieve equitable access to care,” they said.

The partnership between Uasin Gishu County and Region Östergötland stands as a model of how global cooperation can translate into meaningful local impact — fostering healthier communities and a stronger foundation for sustainable development.