NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya Airways (KQ) and Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) have signed a landmark partnership aimed at revolutionizing medical travel across Africa by improving access to specialized healthcare for patients throughout the continent.
The agreement, inked in Nairobi on Friday, brings together KQ’s regional network under its healthcare arm, KQ Health, and AKUH’s internationally accredited medical expertise.
The collaboration aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030 objective of establishing the country as a leading regional medical hub.
Under the deal, KQ Health will oversee patient logistics, including pre-travel medical clearances, in-flight medical assistance, and ambulance transfers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport directly to Aga Khan University Hospital.
Patients arriving in Kenya will have access to specialized care in oncology, cardiology, surgery, and critical care — areas where AKUH has established advanced treatment capabilities.
Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka said the partnership demonstrates how aviation can strengthen essential health services.
“This is an example of how aviation can directly support healthcare access. By working with Aga Khan University Hospital, we’re connecting people not just to destinations, but to essential services that can change lives,” he said.
AKUH CEO Rashid Khalani described the initiative as a turning point in reducing the need for Africans to seek medical care abroad.
“This partnership makes it easier for patients from across Africa to access world-class healthcare without leaving the continent,” Khalani said.
He added that receiving treatment closer to home allows patients to remain in a familiar cultural environment and eases the burden on families during recovery.
The collaboration comes amid rising demand for cross-border healthcare in Africa, where thousands of patients still travel to India, the Middle East, and Europe for treatment.
By merging Kenya Airways’ logistical capabilities with AKUH’s medical infrastructure, the partnership is expected to make specialized healthcare more accessible, affordable, and dignified — reinforcing Kenya’s position as a regional center for medical excellence.
