By S, KNA
Kenya’s healthcare leaders, investors, and regulators have called for bold reforms and sustainable investment to secure the future of healthcare in Africa.
Speaking at a high-level healthcare investment forum in Nairobi, the experts emphasised that collaboration, workforce sustainability, and regulatory strengthening will determine how well the continent adapts to the evolving health landscape.
Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Timothy Theuri set the tone by underscoring the importance of strategic planning and coordinated investment.
He advised the sector needs to “move from short-term interventions to long-term systems strengthening” if Kenya and the region are to achieve universal health coverage and resilient care systems.
“Healthcare investment should not only be about equipment and buildings — it must be about people, training, and innovation,” stated Dr Theuri, calling for the private and public sectors to work more closely in building a pipeline of skilled health workers and in mobilising funds for medical infrastructure and research.
Further, the CEO also noted that Kenya’s healthcare potential lies in harnessing technology and regional partnerships.
“Digital health and telemedicine are no longer futuristic concepts — they are here with us. We must integrate them meaningfully into our national health strategy,” he directed.
Representing the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA), Dr Daniel Yumbwa echoed these sentiments, emphasising that effective regulation is essential for sustainable growth.
“Strong regulation builds investor confidence and protects patients,” he said, warning that unchecked investment could lead to uneven quality in service delivery.
Additionally, Dr Yumbwa urged African countries to invest in both infrastructure and oversight mechanisms to ensure equitable access and safety.
“Healthcare without accountability is a risk,” he noted, insisting that Investors, practitioners, and governments must operate within clear, harmonised frameworks that put patients first.
Moderating a panel discussion on the future of healthcare delivery, Professor Salim Hashim, Special Advisor for Africa at the International Hospital Federation (Geneva), led an engaging conversation with key figures from Kenya’s top healthcare institutions.
The panel included Dr Toseef Din, CEO of M.P Shah Hospital; Eric Ochieng, Chief Operating Officer of Avenue Healthcare Group; Dr Richard Lesiyampe, CEO of Kenyatta National Hospital; and Dr David Kariuki, CEO of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
The panel explored three interconnected themes: the ongoing healthcare workforce crisis, the sustainability of healthcare organisations, and the pivotal role of leadership and governance in navigating modern health challenges.
Dr Din highlighted the growing importance of ‘human sustainability’ in healthcare institutions. She said that as hospitals evolve, they must prioritise the mental and emotional well-being of their staff.
“We can’t afford to lose the human touch in healthcare,” she established. “Before we invest in technology, we must invest in our people — their happiness, safety, and career growth.”
The CEO cited M.P Shah Hospital’s mentorship programmes and mental health initiatives as examples of how healthcare institutions can foster a culture of compassion and purpose.
“Retention isn’t just about salaries but about creating a workplace where people feel seen, valued, and supported.
Similarly, from the private equity perspective, Eric Ochieng said Avenue Healthcare focuses on empowering its workforce through psychological safety, continuous training, and leadership development.
“We’ve learned that when staff feel safe and respected, productivity and patient care both improve,” he noted, stressing the need for technology adoption to reduce staff burnout and enhance patient experience.
According to Ochieng, technology should make clinicians’ lives easier, not harder as he pointed out that when doctors and nurses focus more on patient care and less on paperwork, the quality of outcomes rises.
On the other hand, public sector voices also played a key role in the discussion as Dr Lesiyampe of Kenyatta National Hospital emphasised that public institutions face unique challenges of scale, funding, and bureaucracy but remain the backbone of national healthcare delivery.
“We must ensure that our hospitals are not just large, but also efficient, patient-centered, and sustainable,” he asserted.
Also speaking at the event, Dr Kariuki of KMPDC called for closer collaboration between regulators and investors to ensure quality and accountability.
“Our goal is to protect the public while creating an enabling environment for investment,” he established. “Regulation and growth are not enemies — they are partners in progress.”
In his remarks, Professor Hashim closed the session by calling for shared responsibility across all players in the sector.
“The future of healthcare investment lies not in competition but in co-creation. If we align our investments with integrity and compassion, Africa can lead the world in people-centered healthcare,” advised the Professor.
Meanwhile, the discussion underscored a central message: Kenya’s healthcare transformation will not be achieved through isolated efforts. It will require sustained collaboration among policymakers, investors, practitioners, and communities.
As Dr Theuri concluded, “Healthcare is not just a national agenda — it’s a human one. The investments we make today will define the quality of life for generations to come.”