Africa’s premier healthcare and laboratory science event, WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs 2025, opened at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) with a strong call for leadership, innovation, and investment to strengthen East Africa’s health systems under the theme “Advancing Healthcare and Laboratory Innovation in East Africa.”
The event, which runs from October 22–24, has drawn over 5,000 visitors, 200 exhibitors, and 65 international speakers from more than 20 countries, marking it as a major platform for advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and diagnostic capacity across the region.
Leadership and Governance
The day opened with the CEO Panel Discussion, moderated by Prof. Salim Hasham, Special Advisor for Africa at the International Hospital Federation (IHF) and CEO of KKM Healthcare International. The panel brought together leading hospital executives — Rashid Khalani (Aga Khan University Hospital), Dr. Toseef Din (M.P. Shah Hospital), Felix Osano (The Nairobi Hospital), and Dr. Richard Lesiyampe (Kenyatta National Hospital).
The panel explored sustainable healthcare leadership and governance, emphasizing the need to build resilient organizations and empower healthcare professionals.
“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 Dr. Din.
“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,” added Dr. Lesiyampe.
Investment and Policy in Focus
Sessions led by the Global Health Association of Kenya (GHAK) and the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA) underscored the importance of long-term investment and visionary policymaking in achieving UHC goals.
“A resilient health system is a nation’s promise to protect its people today, and for generations to come,” said Dr. Daniel Yumbya, EBS, Director, IAMRA.
“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,” noted Dr. Samuel Oti, Senior Programme Specialist, IDRC Kenya.
Dr. Aliza Monroe-Wise, Consultant, WHO, and Chief Medical Officer, CarePoint Health, added, “Africa stands on the edge of a demographic goldmine. One in three people on Earth will be African within a century. If we invest in our youth, innovation, and health systems today, Africa will define the future.”
Shane Fleming, Sales Partner Director at Informa Markets, emphasized the company’s commitment to Kenya’s UHC vision: “WHX Nairobi exemplifies our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across East Africa’s healthcare ecosystem. By connecting leaders, policymakers, and innovators, we are driving meaningful partnerships that strengthen health systems and improve patient outcomes across the region.”
Women in Health Leadership
In the afternoon, WomenLift Health hosted a high-level discussion titled “Leading the Future: Women Transforming Health Leadership in East Africa.” Moderated by Judy Anyona, Program Lead at WomenLift Health, the session spotlighted women shaping health policy, innovation, and equity across the region.
WHX Labs Nairobi: Advancing Diagnostics
Running alongside the main congress, WHX Labs Nairobi opened its sessions on Laboratory Management and Clinical Leadership, focusing on workforce development, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the integration of AI in diagnostics.
Laboratory leaders from across East Africa — including Dr. Titus Mutwiri (Chairman, KMLTTB), Safari Kithi (President, AKMLSO), and Dr. Shahin Sayed (Chair, Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University) — shared strategies for improving quality, efficiency, and reliability in diagnostic services.
Exhibitors such as Randox, Beckman Coulter, Radiometer, and Snibe showcased molecular and immunodiagnostic technologies designed to enhance testing accuracy and affordability.
“We’re redefining access to diagnostics in Kenya by bringing testing closer to patients,” said Meshack Oduor Ouma, International Sales Executive for Randox East Africa & Zambia. “Our Vivalytic molecular platform consolidates multiple infectious disease targets into a single cartridge — reducing costs, turnaround time, and repeat visits. Our goal is to make rapid, accurate molecular testing available in every county.”
He added, “Kenya’s healthcare transformation depends not only on technology but also on sustainability. By offering long-shelf-life reagents and point-of-care systems, Randox is helping laboratories across East Africa deliver consistent, high-quality results that clinicians can trust.”
Bioline, represented by Sara Silva, Country Manager, showcased its high-quality surgical sutures designed for affordability and reliability.
“As Kenya advances toward Universal Health Coverage, we share a vision — to make world-class surgical materials accessible to all hospitals, from referral to county level. Our goal is to support better surgical outcomes for every Kenyan,” Silva said.
She added that Bioline is seeking a Kenyan distribution partner to enhance local supply chains and employment opportunities while embedding Brazilian surgical technology into Kenya’s growing healthcare landscape.
Looking Ahead
Day One of WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs 2025 reaffirmed East Africa’s commitment to strengthening health systems through policy innovation, inclusive leadership, and sustainable investment.
Day Two will spotlight Digital Healthcare, exploring the power of AI, telemedicine, and data analytics in improving healthcare access and outcomes. Meanwhile, WHX Labs Nairobi will focus on Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology, building on the leadership and systems transformation discussions that defined Day One.