Nairobi, Kenya – Africa’s premier healthcare and laboratory science event, WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi set the tone for three days of innovation, leadership, and collaboration under the theme Advancing healthcare and laboratory innovation in East Africa. Held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the event brought together more than 5,000 visitors, 200 exhibitors, and 65 international speakers from more than 20 countries.
The day began with the CEO Panel Discussion, moderated by Prof Salim Hasham, Special Advisor for Africa at the International Hospital Federation and President and Chief Executive Officer of KKM Healthcare International. It brought together Kenya’s leading hospital executives Rashid Khalani, Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan University Hospital; Dr Toseef Din, Chief Executive Officer of M.P. Shah Hospital; Felix Osano, Chief Executive Officer of The Nairobi Hospital; and Dr Richard Lesiyampe, Chief Executive Officer of Kenyatta National Hospital. They shared strategies for building sustainable health organisations and empowering human capital.
“In healthcare we witness loss every day, yet compassion must never fade. Human sustainability begins when leaders protect the humanity of their teams as fiercely as they protect their patients,” said Din.
Dr Lesiyampe added that: “Healthcare leadership today demands that we move from managing people to developing human capital. When we invest in training, mentorship, and collaboration, we strengthen not only our institutions but the entire national health system”.
The sessions turned the spotlight to investment and global collaboration. Dr Daniel Yumbya, EBS. Director, International of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) spoke on The Future of Healthcare Investment, calling for greater alignment between regulation, education, and resource planning to sustain long-term growth in healthcare capacity.
“A resilient health system is a nation’s promise to protect its people today, and for generations to come,” he said.
“Global health funding has saved millions of lives but it must evolve from charity to collaboration. True progress demands that funders trust, empower, and invest directly in local expertise, because authentic allyship is about shifting power, not preserving it,” said Dr Samuel Oti, Senior Programme Specialist, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Nairobi, Kenya.
Dr Aliza Monroe-Wise, Consultant, World Health Organization, and Chief Medical Officer, CarePoint, Nairobi, Kenya, added: “Africa is standing on the edge of a demographic goldmine. In the next century, one in three people on Earth will be African. If we invest in our youth, innovation, and health systems today, Africa will define the future.”
“Shane Fleming, Sales Partner Director, Informa Markets said, “WHX Nairobi exemplifies Informa Markets’ commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth within East Africa’s healthcare ecosystem. By bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators, we are creating a dynamic platform that not only showcases cutting-edge technologies but also drives meaningful partnerships to strengthen health systems and improve patient outcomes across the region. We are proud to support Kenya’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage and look forward to continuing to enable impactful connections that advance healthcare for all.”
Later in the afternoon, WomenLift Health led a high-profile discussion on inclusive leadership titled Leading the Future: Women Transforming Health Leadership in East Africa. The session, moderated by Judy Anyona, Program Lead, WomenLift Health, brought together women driving change across health policy, philanthropy, and public health.
The 2025 programme features a total of six CPD-accredited conferences, comprising three under the main WHX Nairobi congress and three within WHX Labs Nairobi. Each has been customised to deliver actionable insights and measurable outcomes for delegates. The main congress includes the Healthcare Policy & Investment Conference (22 October), exploring policy transformation, healthcare financing, and innovation for East Africa’s future; the Digital Healthcare Conference (23 October), highlighting AI, telemedicine, and digital innovation in driving equitable health access; and the Primary Healthcare Conference (24 October), focused on strengthening community-based systems, advancing women-led leadership, and accelerating Universal Health Coverage. Running alongside the main congress, WHX Labs Nairobi features three specialised tracks: Laboratory Management, Clinical Microbiology & Parasitology, and Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics, dedicated to advancing laboratory systems through workforce development, antimicrobial resistance strategies, and the integration of AI and molecular technologies across diagnostic practice.
Running parallel to the main congress, WHX Labs Nairobi launched its opening sessions focused on laboratory management and clinical leadership. The programme addressed workforce development, antimicrobial resistance, and the application of AI in diagnostics.
Laboratory leaders from across East Africa, including Dr Titus Mutwiri, Chairman of the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board; Safari Kithi, President of the Association of Kenya Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers; and Dr Shahin Sayed, Chair and Director of Laboratory Medicine and Consultant Pathologist at The Aga Khan University in Nairobi, shared practical approaches for improving quality and efficiency in diagnostic services. Exhibitors such as Randox, Beckman Coulter, Radiometer, and Snibe demonstrated molecular and immunodiagnostic technologies advancing access to accurate and affordable testing across the region,
“At Randox, we are redefining access to diagnostics in Kenya by moving testing closer to patients. Through our Vivalytic molecular platform, we consolidate multiple infectious-disease targets into a single cartridge — reducing testing costs, turnaround time, and repeat visits. Our goal is to make rapid, accurate molecular testing available in every county, from major referral hospitals to level 2 and 3 facilities, ensuring no patient is left behind on the journey toward Universal Health Coverage,” said Meshack Oduor Ouma, International Sales Executive, East Africa & Zambia.
“Kenya’s healthcare transformation depends not only on technology but on sustainability. That’s why Randox is delivering point-of-care chemistry systems and long-shelf-life reagents that can withstand transport and storage challenges even in remote regions. By offering ready-to-use and lyophilised quality-control materials, we are simplifying procurement, reducing cold-chain costs, and empowering laboratories across East Africa to deliver consistent, high-quality results that clinicians can trust,” Ouma added.
Bioline also showcased its commitment to supporting Kenya’s surgical services as part of the continuum of care.
“For over three decades, Bioline has delivered high-quality surgical sutures at accessible prices across Latin America, where healthcare affordability mirrors the realities of many African systems. As Kenya advances toward Universal Health Coverage, we see a shared vision — providing world-class surgical materials that meet international standards without the premium price tag. Our mission is to ensure that every theatre, from major referral hospitals to county facilities, can access reliable, safe sutures that support better surgical outcomes for all Kenyans,” said Sara Silva, Country Manager, Bioline.
“Our participation at WHX Nairobi is about building partnerships. We’re actively seeking a Kenyan distribution partner who can help us nationalise and locally manage Bioline products — ensuring consistent supply and responsive logistics throughout the country. By collaborating with local stakeholders, we aim to strengthen Kenya’s medical supply chain, create local employment opportunities, and make high-quality Brazilian surgical technology part of the region’s healthcare growth story,” Silva added.
Day One of WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi reaffirmed the region’s commitment to strengthening health systems through policy innovation, leadership, and investment. As the event continues, Day Two will focus on Digital Healthcare, showcasing the role of AI, telemedicine, and data analytics in improving access and outcomes, while WHX Labs Nairobi explores Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology, building on the foundation set by Day One’s discussions on leadership and systems transformation.
To learn more or register, visit: https://www.worldhealthexpo.com/events/healthcare/nairobi/en/home.html