NAIROBI, Kenya– The upcoming WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi will bring together policymakers, investors, and health professionals at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) next month, as East Africa grapples with rising healthcare demand and financing shortfalls.
The event, formerly known as Medic East Africa and Medlab East Africa, has been rebranded to reflect a wider focus on policy, investment, and laboratory innovation.
It will run for three days under the theme Advancing healthcare and laboratory innovation in East Africa.
Kenya’s health system is under growing strain as the population moves toward 63 million by 2030.
While the health workforce is expanding at 3.4 percent annually, demand for services is rising faster at 4.7 percent.
A recent Sh38.7 billion cut to the health budget has raised further questions about the country’s ability to meet its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) targets.
“The solution is complex and will rely on a paradigm shift in health workforce planning, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach, as well as the public and private sectors working together to increase investments in health employment,” the organisers said.
More than 200 exhibitors will take part, including Randox, Beckman Coulter, Radiometer, Snibe, Siemens Healthineers, Roche Kenya, Dedalus, Fujifilm, and QIAGEN, showcasing diagnostic and clinical technologies. WHX Labs Nairobi will highlight laboratory science, with sessions on antimicrobial resistance, molecular diagnostics, and AI-powered lab systems.
“As East Africa scales up molecular diagnostics and genomics, Snibe is committed to ensuring innovation is matched by accessibility. We are partnering with universities and local laboratories to provide both technology and training, ensuring affordability without compromising on performance,” Snibe said.
The conference programme will examine financing models, public-private partnerships, and the role of digital health. One track will focus on women-led leadership in primary healthcare.
“Leadership and strategic financing are pivotal to achieving equitable healthcare. At WomenLift Health, our work shows that when women are equipped to lead, health systems become more inclusive, financing decisions more equitable and primary healthcare delivers more resilience,” said Liberty Kituu, Senior Communication Manager, WomenLift Health.
Other speakers include Caroline Mbindyo of Amref Health Africa, Yasmin Chandani of InSupplyHealth, Dr Shahin Sayed of Aga Khan University, and Dr Titus Mutwiri of the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians & Technologists Board.
Desta Lakew, Group Director of Partnerships at Amref Health Africa, linked the discussions to Kenya’s recent reforms: “The five transformative health laws passed in 2023 have laid a robust foundation, ensuring equitable access to services, sustainable financing, interoperable digital systems, and a people-centred, data-driven health system.
My hope for WHX Nairobi is that it catalyses greater political goodwill and innovation toward scalable, people-first solutions that can be replicated across Africa.”
Backed by the Ministry of Health, the Kenya Medical Association, and Africa CDC, WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi aim to position Nairobi as a hub for healthcare policy and technology transfer in the region.
