The Ministry of Health has called for direct collaboration between medical equipment manufacturers and public sector purchasers as the country seeks to improve healthcare procurement, reduce unnecessary costs and ensure equipment remains functional throughout its lifespan.
Speaking at the official opening of the World Health Expo Nairobi 2026, Dr Joseph Lenai, representing Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, said stronger engagement between manufacturers and public health buyers was critical to building a more reliable healthcare supply chain.
Lenai welcomed the participation of manufacturers from Kenya and abroad, saying the expo provided an important platform for public sector health officials and suppliers to engage directly on the equipment and technologies needed by health facilities.
“We are informed around 25 countries have come to exhibit medical equipment, pharma and non-pharma items and this is a big solution to our supply chain system that we have always longed to strengthen.” He said.
Organizers of the event have said the expo being held in Nairobi provides an opportunity to manufacturers from across the globe to enter the East and Central African Market.
“This companies are interested in exporting to the East African Market, they are looking at investing in this region.” Robert Greene, The Exhibition Manager at World Health Expo Nairobi has said.
The Three-day expo that has brought together over 350 health care sector players is underway at the KICC grounds in Nairobi.
The M.O.H has further called on manufacturers and suppliers of medical products to provide long-term maintenance, spare parts, technical training and calibration services alongside their products.
Dr. Lenai said expensive medical equipment should not be left idle in health facilities because of a lack of spare parts, unreliable power, inadequate maintenance or shortages of technical skills.
“Africa must no longer be an equipment graveyard,” Lenai said, calling on manufacturers, aggregators and vendors participating in the expo to provide more than hardware.
The exhibitors include amongst others Radiometer, Snibe Diagnostic and Fedex
