Mediheal Group of Hospitals set to open liver clinics in Kenya

Mediheal Group of Hospitals, in partnership with India's Yashoda Institute of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Diseases, is set to launch a groundbreaking initiative in Kenya by opening $2.5 million liver clinics in Nairobi, Nakuru, and Eldoret. This move comes as Kenya aims to boost its medical tourism earnings and cater to the healthcare needs of its citizens without necessitating travel abroad.Currently, India's pharmaceutical exports to Kenya stand at $246 million, with a significant portion of Kenyans seeking medical care traveling to India annually. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Dr. S. R. Mishra, Chairman of the Mediheal Group, shed light on the collaboration and its potential impact on bridging the medical skills gap in Kenya and other African nations. Dr. Mishra emphasized the significance of technology transfer over patient transfer. By leveraging an MOU between Yashoda Hospital in India and Mediheal Group in East Africa, renowned medical professionals from India will be employed to work in Africa, addressing the shortage of skilled medical personnel. Dr. Mishra outlined the key areas where medical expertise is lacking in Kenya, including comprehensive cancer care, open-heart surgery, pediatric cardiac defect correction, navigated neurosurgery, spine surgery, and various transplant surgeries, such as kidney, liver, cornea, and bone marrow. He highlighted the efforts of the government of Kenya through the National Health Insurance Fund to increase healthcare coverage for its citizens, signaling a positive outlook for the development of high-end medical services in the region.During the discussion, Dr. Mishra also emphasized the importance of preventive measures in healthcare as Kenya transitions into a middle-income country. He acknowledged the necessity of focusing on preventive care alongside advanced medical treatments to mitigate the prevalence of cardio-related diseases and improve overall public health. Dr. Mishra projected that by bringing specialized doctors and enhancing medical infrastructure in Kenya, the cost of medical treatment would decrease significantly, reducing the need for Kenyan patients to seek healthcare abroad. Moreover, he indicated a shift towards public-private partnerships in the future, with plans to collaborate with referral hospitals and level 5 hospitals in the country. By combining resources from both the public and private sectors, the aim is to foster a comprehensive healthcare system that can cater to the diverse medical needs of the population.In conclusion, the establishment of liver clinics by Mediheal Group of Hospitals marks a transformative step in Kenya's healthcare landscape, signaling a shift towards self-sufficiency in medical services and reducing the reliance on foreign healthcare providers. Through strategic partnerships and a focus on technology transfer and skill development, Kenya is poised to become a hub for medical tourism and advanced healthcare services in the region, benefitting both the economy and the well-being of its citizens.