By Eddah Waithaka
The Nairobi Hospital brought together healthcare leaders, tourism experts, and government officials at its Amphitheatre for the Magical Kenya Medical Tourism Forum.
The event aimed at positioning Kenya as a top global destination for medical tourism. Organized by Magical Kenya and the Kenya Tourism Board, the forum sparked discussions on growth strategies, industry challenges, and the collaborative role of hospitals, specialists, and travel partners in boosting Kenya’s medical tourism sector.
Kenya’s Untapped Potential in a Sh40 Billion Industry
A Ken Research report projects the global medical tourism market will exceed Sh5.2 trillion ($40 billion) by 2025, fueled by rising healthcare costs abroad, an ageing population, and cutting-edge medical advancements.
While Kenya currently attracts 5,000 medical tourists annually, mostly from neighboring countries, stakeholders are now pushing for structured policies and stronger partnerships to scale up the sector.
Nairobi Hospital Leads the Charge
Mr. Samuel Odede, OGW, Director of Medical Services & Research at The Nairobi Hospital, underscored Kenya’s readiness to compete globally.
“Kenya boasts world-class hospitals, highly skilled specialists, and advanced medical infrastructure. By aligning the tourism and healthcare sectors, we can build a thriving medical tourism industry that benefits both our economy and patients—local and international,” he said.
The Kenya Tourism Board unveiled its Medical Tourism Strategy, outlining key initiatives to market Kenya as a trusted healthcare hub.
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A panel moderated by Mr. Muthuri Kinyamu, CEO of Accessible Travel, featured insights from government officials, doctors, and industry leaders on regulatory improvements and marketing opportunities.
Hospital Capacity & Competitive Edge
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Reuben Okioma, Deputy Director of Medical Services & Research at Nairobi Hospital, revealed: “We are operating at just 30% capacity our bed occupancy hovers between 70-80%, and we have underutilized facilities, including the former COVID-19 wing. We have two CT scanners, two MRIs, and PET scan technology, which previously drove patients to India.”
He noted that cardiology, oncology, and bariatric surgery have seen major advancements, reducing outbound medical travel. However, cosmetic surgery remains a gap, with Turkey still dominating the field.
“During COVID-19, 25% of our patients were foreigners. Now, we admit 2-5 international patients daily, with 6-7% of outpatients being medical tourists,” Dr. Okioma added.
Affordability & Insurance: Key Challenges
Despite available expertise, high costs remain a barrier. “A cardiac stent is expensive not because of hospital fees, but due to imported medical supplies,” Dr. Okioma explained.
With only 3% of Kenyans currently covered by medical insurance. Dr. Okioma emphasized the urgent need for expanded insurance coverage under the Social Health Authority (SHA), local manufacturing of medical supplies to reduce costs, and preventive healthcare campaigns to enhance early detection.
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