Kenya is set to host the 2019 Medic East Africa conference that will focus on the provision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the region.
The conference organized by international event company, Informa Markets, is expected to attract Over 4,000 participants drawn from 25 countries. The conference will bring together East Africa’s healthcare and medical laboratory industry players.
Informa Markets Exhibition Director Mr. Ryan Sanderson said the three-day conference which will run from 24th-26th September 2019, will create an opportunity for industry players in the healthcare sector to discuss the latest trends in UHC.
“The Healthcare Management Conference, which is spearheaded by the East Africa Healthcare Federation, will focus on the progress and financing of universal healthcare policies. The Public Health Conference, in association with the Kenya Medical Association, will discuss the roles of regional medical associations in strengthening universal health coverage. The Clinical Officers Conference will address the critical part that clinical officers play in upholding a strong healthcare infrastructure,” said Mr. Sanderson.
“This will be the seventh Medic East Africa conference to be held. In total, more than 200 exhibitors from 25 countries will be present, running alongside over 60 high-level conference presentations, welcoming 4,000 attendees,” Mr. Sanderson.
Kenya’s health sector is expected to grow at a faster rate than the overall economy. This sector is valued at Ksh220 billion (USD 2.2 billion) and contributes 2% to the country’s GDP.
Last year, Kenya launched a pilot UHC scheme in four counties: Kisumu, Isiolo, Machakos and Nyeri. These four counties were chosen because collectively they have a high prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases, high population density, high maternal mortality, and high incidence of road traffic injuries. As a result, 91 percent of residents have enrolled in local health insurance schemes.
The United Nations – under the sustainable development goal 3 – calls on countries to “achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.”
Kenyan Business Feed is the top Kenyan Business Blog. We share news from Kenya and across the region. To contact us with any alert, please email us to editor@kenyanbusinessfeed.com
