Four ways East Africa Health Summit turns the tide on region’s health challenges

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Tom Coleman, Managing Director of the East African Medical Show, said: “This year, we will build on this momentum and showcase innovative products that are coming to the Kenyan market alongside companies from Egypt, South Africa and Brazil.”

The conference promises a bright future for the region’s pharmaceutical companies, laboratories, and medical staff and students who deliver vital treatments to patients. Various panel discussions and exhibits will mark a critical step in addressing barriers to healthcare.

1. Prioritize youth issues to promote sustainable development of the health sector: Without medical workers, there is no health system. But medical workers in the region face an overburden of patients, long working hours and low wage increases. This can lead to inadequate care and brain drain as professionals move elsewhere for better opportunities.

There is worrying evidence that this is driving young medical students away from east Africa, where more than 55,000 doctors work in the world’s 15 richest countries.

“That’s why we are hosting a healthcare leadership conference this year with the Medical Association to discuss and propose solutions to these pressing challenges,” Coleman said.

A series of masterclasses will be tailored for young medical students, allowing them to engage with national health officials in a collaborative environment.

Coleman added: “There will be a dedicated student-led panel discussion at this gathering to ensure young people’s voices are heard.”

2. Build innovative partnerships to reduce maternal mortality: In East Africa, approximately 50 children under the age of five die for every 1,000 births. The region also has a high maternal mortality rate, with 368 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births. These statistics clearly show that maternal and child care is a key health priority in the region.

“East Africa needs to increase the output of health solutions and reduce barriers to care, while further strengthening dialogue between private and public officials on how to overcome barriers,” Coleman said.

Research in the region shows that public-private partnerships (PPPs) as well as donor funding will lead to investments that reduce costs and barriers to access to health facilities.

Kenya’s Ministry of Health, a major partner of the East African Healthcare Expo 2024, recently signed a PPP agreement with USAID, Vodafone Foundation, Safaricom and M-Pesa Foundation to allocate $18 million to enhance the well-being of mothers and children in Kenya.

The M-Mama program will leverage mobile technology to connect mothers in Kenya and Tanzania to emergency referral and transport services, addressing head-on the complex issues facing pregnant women and newborns.

This year’s East African Medical Fair will foster new links between the public and private sectors while strengthening existing ones.

3. Expanding access to medical equipment by discussing local production: Daniel Kyalo from Avenue Hospital in Kenya said the previous conference was “educational and inspiring. The exhibition solved some of the problems I had with the equipment and machines.”

Shortages of medical equipment remain a major problem in the region. According to the African Population and Health Research Center, Kenya has only 70 factories that produce medical oxygen. The lack of supply, coupled with the inefficiency of these factories, puts patients who need oxygen at risk.

To address this issue, steps are being taken to promote local manufacturing of medical devices and diagnostic equipment in the hope of reversing the situation.

Coleman noted: “The East African Medical Show will bring together international medical technology suppliers such as Dedalus, Precision UK, Woodmans Meditech, Echonous and Chiron Surgimed onto a stage already discussing the region’s local manufacturing needs.”

He added that this year “we are working with the Pharmaceutical Association to provide a dedicated space for local pharmaceutical companies to expand their operations in East Africa.”

4. Create lasting change in the region: This year more than 4,000 healthcare professionals will attend the conference, visit more than 200 exhibits, participate in networking events to build real connections, and enhance their knowledge and skills through the educational opportunities offered.

Bringing together experts from across the region to share success stories and how they are overcoming current challenges, the East Africa Medical Show is a progressive event that will shape the future of healthcare in Africa.

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