NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 10 – Kenya is sending a high powered business and medical delegation to the East African Health and Medical expo-Kampala edition to showcase the country’s world class medical infrastructure and create top of the mind awareness for Kenyan healthcare providers in the region.
KEPSA’s Kenya Healthcare Federation Chief Executive Officer Dr Amit Thakker said the delegation made up of healthcare leadership and medical doctors will seek to encourage cross pollination, expose country competencies and develop appropriate referral systems among the East African member states.
‘’The private sector is participating in this expo not only to showcase its services and open up new markets but also learn and appreciate what our neighbors have to offer in the spirit of East Africa integration, ’’ said Dr Thakker.
Dr.Thakker said the East African member states have developed competencies in specific areas and mutually beneficial relationships will stop residents from visiting other destinations for medical attention.
‘’Kenya has world standard medical infrastructure as a result of heavy investment in the sector. We want to use the expo to interact with Ugandan healthcare leadership and medical doctors in a move to offer patient superior services locally and negate the need for seeking medical attention outside the region,’’ said Dr Thakker.
Expo spokesman Kizito Mokua confirmed that all major private hospitals, referral hospitals and associated service providers will participate in the Kampala edition slated for April 28-1 May 2010 to highlight medical services available in Kenya,’’ said Mr Mokua.
‘’There are 25 Kenyan and 10 Ugandan exhibitors besides delegates from across the region who want to engage in business to business as well as business to consumer communications in a strategic move to offer residents critical information for control and decision making,’’ said Mr Mokua.
Analysts say Kenya’s participation may position Kenya as a medical destination and stop East African neighbors’ from travelling to Europe, India and South Africa for medical attention while Kenya has world class standards.
Mr Mokua said the expo besides discouraging residents from travelling abroad for medical services will increase investments in medical infrastructure and push down the cost of medicare because of competition.
‘’Investors will find it profitable to invest in medicare and at the end of the day, Kenya will have competitive prices and massive inflows of patients that can translate to medical tourism,’’ said Mokua.
