WHX Nairobi Aims to Tackle Kenya’s Healthcare Worker Crisis with Regional and Global Collaboration
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By Dennis Wanyonyi| Nairobi, Kenya | June 2025
With Kenya facing a projected shortage of over 170,000 healthcare workers by 2035, WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi are stepping up as critical platforms to find sustainable, scalable solutions for a strained system.
Taking place from 6–8 October 2025 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, the rebranded WHX Nairobi (formerly Medic East Africa and Medlab East Africa) will bring together over 8,000 attendees, 300+ exhibitors, 65 international speakers, and delegations from 20 counties to address one pressing question: How can Kenya build the health workforce needed to meet its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) targets by 2030?
According to a recent WHO assessment, Kenya produces only 7,650 new healthcare workers annually, far below the required growth to meet rising demand. The healthcare worker deficit is expected to grow to 114,000 by 2030 and 170,000 by 2035, unless significant reforms and investment are made in health training and employment.
“This is not just a workforce gap — it’s a national emergency in slow motion,” said Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director at Informa Markets, the event organizer.
A Regional Forum for Real Solutions
In a first for the region, the 2025 edition will host a Healthcare Leaders Ministerial Roundtable, supported by President William Ruto and the Ministry of Health, to bring together African policymakers, donors, and healthcare stakeholders to chart a strategic path forward.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Deborah Barasa, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change & Forestry
- Mary Muthoni Muriuki, Principal Secretary for Health
- Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry
- Dr. Mazyanga Mazaba, Regional Director, Africa CDC
- Hon. Beatrice Askul Moe, CS for East African Community Affairs
Discussions will cover scaling up medical education, incentivizing rural service, and improving lab science training, all framed around Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“Our shift to outcomes-based financing under programs like NYOTA shows our commitment to results, not rhetoric,” said Susan Mang’eni, PS for MSME Development, in a recent UN forum previewing Kenya’s strategic approach.
A Packed Agenda and Targeted Focus
WHX Nairobi’s conference tracks include:
- Healthcare Policy & Investment
- Digital Health and Primary Care
- Leaders Forum
- CPD-accredited scientific sessions
WHX Labs Nairobi, the dedicated diagnostics and lab science stream, will zero in on Kenya’s diagnostic workforce crisis. The agenda includes deep dives into:
- Molecular diagnostics & genomics
- Clinical microbiology & parasitology
- Lab automation and AI integration
New country pavilions from Egypt, Brazil, and South Africa will showcase cross-border innovation and deal-making opportunities in diagnostics, telemedicine, and equipment supply.
Driving Equity Through Inclusion and Innovation
In addition to workforce planning, WHX Nairobi will unveil two key social sustainability programs:
- Rays of Hope – A collaboration with IAEA and GE Healthcare to train more radiologists and expand access to cancer diagnostics in underserved regions.
- Women 50/50, led by Philana Mugyenyi, aims to achieve gender parity in healthcare leadership, especially in clinical and laboratory sectors.
“We cannot achieve healthcare equity without inclusive leadership and localized innovation,” said Desta Lakew, Group Director of Partnerships at AMREF Health Africa. “This roundtable must spark policy courage and investment that centres people, not institutions.”
A Call for Investment and Urgency
Kenya’s current health workforce growth stands at 3.4% per year, while demand is rising at 4.7%, putting UHC goals at risk. A recent KSh 38.7 billion budget cut further jeopardizes healthcare delivery and underscores the need for private sector partnerships and smart investment models.
WHX Nairobi is expected to unlock new partnerships between government, donors, investors, and startups, positioning Kenya as a regional medical and innovation hub.
“We are not just hosting a trade fair — this is a movement toward Africa-led healthcare solutions,” Coleman said.
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