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Regional health leaders urged to harness digital tech for universal health coverage

Stakeholders called for practical innovations such as telemedicine, AI-powered diagnostics, and integrated health data platforms to expand healthcare access.

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by BOSCO MARITA

Health09 August 2025 - 08:10
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In Summary


  • Chief Guest Dr. Joe Lenai, Director for Primary Healthcare, Preventive and Promotive Health at the Ministry of Health, stressed the urgency of private-sector involvement.
  • “With overseas development funding on the decline, it’s time for the private sector to step in—not just as investors, but as innovation partners,” said Dr. Lenai.

Daniel Green — Exhibition Manager, African Portfolio Informa Media.

 Kenya is cementing its place as a regional leader in health innovation after bringing together top policymakers, medical experts, and technology innovators for the WHX Nairobi Networking Event, a precursor to the WHX Conference in October.

Organised by WHX Lab in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the high-level forum drew participants from across East Africa to discuss how digital technology can accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthen primary healthcare systems.

Held under the theme “The Digital Health Triangle: Universal Health Coverage, Primary Healthcare, and HealthTech”, the meeting showcased practical innovations such as telemedicine, AI-powered diagnostics, and integrated health data platforms—tools that speakers said are already improving service delivery, cutting costs, and expanding access to underserved communities.

Chief Guest Dr. Joe Lenai, Director for Primary Healthcare, Preventive and Promotive Health at the Ministry of Health, stressed the urgency of private-sector involvement.

Dr. Joe Lenai, Director for Primary Healthcare, Preventive and Promotive Health, Ministry of Health, Kenya.


“With overseas development funding on the decline, it’s time for the private sector to step in—not just as investors, but as innovation partners,” said Dr. Lenai.

 “The future of universal healthcare depends on how well we collaborate across sectors, especially in the face of challenges like climate change.”

Key organisations, including Amref Health Africa and the Kenya Medical Association, urged governments to embed digital health into national health policies and called for cross-border collaboration to share expertise and scale up proven solutions.

Corazon Aquino, Acting Global Director for Partnerships and External Engagement at Amref Health Africa, highlighted the organisation’s impact and its long-standing collaboration with WHX.

“Our journey with WHX began in Kigali in 2023, and for the past three years, we’ve built a partnership rooted in shared values around innovation and community-driven care,” said Ms. Aquino.

Corazon Aquino, Acting Global Director for Partnerships and External Engagement, Amref Health Africa



Daniel Green, Exhibition Manager for the African Portfolio at Informa Media, noted the event’s role in driving tangible outcomes.

“WHX Nairobi delivers the kind of global exposure, connections, and deals you’d expect from a world-class healthcare and medical laboratory exhibition,” Green said.

The WHX Conference will be held on October 22, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), attracting over 600 exhibitors and delegates from more than 60 countries.

Dr. Titus Mutwiri - KMLTTB Chairman



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