By IP health Reporter.
NAIROBI, Kenya (IP) — WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi, the newly rebranded premier healthcare and laboratory events in East Africa, will convene key stakeholders this October to explore sustainable solutions to Kenya’s growing healthcare workforce crisis.
Kenya currently produces just 7,650 new healthcare workers annually. Yet the country needs 70,000 more to ensure equitable access to care, according to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) assessment.
If no action is taken, the shortage is expected to rise to 114,000 by 2030 and hit 170,000 by 2035.
WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi will host over 300 exhibitors, 65 international speakers, representatives from 20 counties, and more than 8,000 attendees from October 6–8, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
Kenya’s population, projected to exceed 63 million by 2030, is driving demand for healthcare services, which is growing at 4.7 percent annually. That outpaces the 3.4 percent growth in the health workforce.
Experts warn this imbalance threatens the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals—especially after a recent KSh38.7 billion budget cut to public health programs.
“The solution demands a paradigm shift,” said Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director at Informa Markets, the event organizers.
“We must move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and embrace stronger collaboration between public and private sectors to invest in health employment.”
Formerly known as Medic East Africa and Medlab East Africa, the events now operate under the World Health Expo (WHX) brand.
They are held in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Health and supported by Africa CDC, the Kenya Healthcare Federation, and the Kenya Medical Association.
A key feature this year is the inaugural Healthcare Leaders Ministerial Roundtable, backed by President William Ruto and the Ministry of Health.
The closed-door forum will bring together policymakers, global health leaders, and experts to craft long-term strategies to address workforce gaps, expand medical education, enhance lab training, and incentivize rural practice.
“Kenya’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage is grounded in the principle of Primary Health Care,” said Desta Lakew of AMREF Health Africa.
“The five transformative health laws passed in 2023 laid a strong foundation. I hope this roundtable catalyzes political goodwill and innovation that can scale across Africa.”
High-profile guests expected include Cabinet Secretary for Environment Deborah Barasa, Health PS Mary Muthoni Muriuki, Investment CS Lee Kinyanjui, Africa CDC Regional Director Dr. Mazyanga Lucy Mazaba, and EAC Affairs CS Beatrice Askul Moe.
The WHX Nairobi agenda includes tracks on Healthcare Policy & Investment, Digital Health, Primary Healthcare, and a Leaders Forum. It will offer CPD-accredited sessions, expert panels, and live demonstrations.
WHX Labs Nairobi will focus on bridging diagnostic workforce shortages with sessions on lab management, microbiology, parasitology, molecular diagnostics, and genomics.
Delegates will explore innovations, build partnerships, and close procurement deals on-site.
“This event is about turning discussion into action,” said Coleman. “By uniting decision-makers, clinicians, and innovators, we’re laying the groundwork for healthcare transformation across the region.”
Also debuting are two social sustainability initiatives:
Rays of Hope, in partnership with IAEA and GE Healthcare, aims to train more radiologists and expand access to cancer diagnostics in East Africa.
Women 50/50, led by Philana Mugyenyi, promotes gender equity in clinical and laboratory leadership.
To learn more or register for the events, visit:
WHX Nairobi Healthcare
WHX Labs Nairobi
—ENDS—
