African Healthcare Industry in Crises

Africa is in the grip of a crises in the shortage of healthcare workers and an acute shortage of technical equipment and a critical need for technological innovation in healthcare to help ease the shortages of skilled professionals. 

The continent, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) has only around 1.55 health workers per 1000 people, compared to the WHO’s recommended threshold of 4.45. This deficit is exacerbated by the regular migration of healthcare professionals to developed countries.

Within Sub-Saharan Africa, the healthcare situation is as follows: The area, with a population of 1,2 billion people and accounting for 25% of the global disease burden, only has 3% of the world’s health workforce.

When that sinks in, it is a terrifying statistic that continues to reflect the growing urgency for health systems reform in the region. 

Healthcare Systems Strained 

In individual countries in the region there are massive challenges that have been exacerbated by migrant populations and geopolitical instability and growing urbanisation of population groups.

In Kenya specifically, a massive shortfall in healthcare workers is putting pressure on an already strained system, with the country needing over 70,000 additional health professionals to meet demand. 

Without bold investments in training, staffing, and innovation, this gap could surpass 170,000 by 2035, threatening Kenya’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and compromising care for millions.

Healthcare Event Tackling the Challenges

As part of the process of seeking new and innovative solutions to the industry’s challenges, WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi will be taking place from 6–8 October 2025 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

The roundtable event will bring together healthcare leaders, policymakers, and innovators to co-create sustainable solutions for this growing crisis. The event’s new Healthcare Leaders Ministerial Roundtable, backed by Kenya’s Ministry of Health and supported by Africa CDC and AMREF Health Africa, will focus on workforce development, medical education, rural incentives, and digital transformation in healthcare delivery.

Complex Solutions and Planning Required

Despite Kenya’s commitment to implementing their Universal Health Coverage plan, as part of Kenya’s Health Sector Strategy and overall Vision 2030, there’s recently been a massive SH38.7 billion budget cut that could potentially significantly undermine the delivery of essential public health functions.

The solution is complex and will rely on a paradigm shift in health workforce planning, moving away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach, as well as the public and private sectors working together to increase investments in health employment. 

Together WHX Nairobi and WHX Labs Nairobi will provide a platform to showcase healthcare innovations, attract investment, foster collaboration between businesses, governments and innovators – breaking geographical barriers for seamless healthcare solutions and positioning Kenya as a regional medical hub, as part of World Health Expo (WHX) – the world’s leading network of healthcare events.

People Centred Data Driven Solutions

“Kenya’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage is grounded in the principle of Primary Health Care. The five transformative health laws passed in 2023 have laid a robust foundation, ensuring equitable access to services, sustainable financing, interoperable digital systems, and a people-centred, data-driven health system. My hope for the WHX Nairobi roundtable is that it catalyses greater political goodwill and innovation toward scalable, people-first solutions that can be replicated across Africa,” comments Desta Lakew, Group Director of Partnerships & External Affairs, AMREF Health Africa.

WHX Nairobi conferences over the three days include Healthcare Policy & Investment, Digital Healthcare, Primary Healthcare, and a Leaders Forum supported by Kenya’s Ministry of Health.

From breakthrough medical technologies and digital health advancements to the latest in laboratory diagnostics and automation and precision medicine, WHX Labs Nairobi offers the latest insights, advancements in healthcare and diagnostics and connections that matter most.