The Health Sector Board of KEPSA – Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF) in partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Cooperative Bank of Kenya on 11^th February 2022 launched the Africa Medical Equipment Facility in Kenya at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Nairobi. The launch event brought together small and medium-sized healthcare operators, financial institutions and original equipment manufacturers to engage in dialogue on challenges they have experienced around medical equipment planning, procurement and maintenance and what is needed to improve this process.

In her opening remarks, IFC Country Manager Ms Amena Ari acknowledged IFC for the advisory services offered such as upgrading medical equipment to improve healthcare delivery and securing local currency loans to purchase the required equipment.

KHF Vice-Chair and KEPSA Director Dr Elizabeth Wala highlighted the role of KHF in supporting private sector small and medium-sized healthcare operators. She emphasized that “The private sector’s role in the attainment of UHC cannot be negated and with the recent launch of the UHC national scale-up strategy, private sector’s role and involvement is critical to the achievement of the National Health Goals.”

Mr Kevin Sofiane of IFC introduced what Africa Medical Equipment Facility (AMEF) is and how it works. AMEF is a program in partnership with Co-operative Bank, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare and Karl Storz. The program is expected to increase access and availability of medical equipment and associated services in 9 countries in West and East Africa. Mr Sofiane Various training will be done in regard to AMEF program such as; Health/SMEs Credit Management, Medical Equipment Financing, Financial Management and Medical Equipment Procurement.

The Head of Corporate Banking at Co-operative Bank, Mrs Angela Muga spoke about AMEF product features and benefits. The target audiences for these features are healthcare providers including clinics, hospitals, medical imaging centres and laboratories.

IFC Advisory, Faith Muigai moderated a panel discussion regarding the Original Equipment Manufactures: Accessing Equipment, Services and Technical Support. The panel featured Philips, Country Manager, Dr Muthoni Ntonjira; Crown Healthcare, Head of Sales & Marketing, Mr Thomas Kitonga and GE Healthcare, Regional Projects Director, Mr Alexander Oketch.

City Eye Hospital CEO, Dr Kibata Githeko made a passionate discussion on the Private Sector Challenges and Opportunities in Medical Equipment Procurement. “Look at a doctor’s passion and skill and consider that in healthcare financing; Let us build the capacity of doctors and believe in their skills,” He remarked “I thank Co-operative Bank for believing in me,” He added.

IFC Healthcare Advisory, Dr Joseph Williamson introduced the AMEF HSME training program emphasizing planning and procurement of medical equipment. He mentioned the key healthcare drivers such as providing consistent high-quality patient care, adhering to organizational standards, economics and carefully streamlining patient care. Dr Williamson’s colleague Mr Leen Mazen Nassif Aghabi also discussed the AMEF HSME training program on the basis of financial management whereby it helps strengthen financial institutions understanding of lending to the healthcare sector and enhance HSMEs’ capacity in financial management and medical equipment planning.

The three main core goals of the AMEF HSME Training Program include; Identifying medical equipment risks based on basic knowledge of specific equipment, identifying assessment measures to mitigate risks in lending for medical equipment purchases and exploring the components of the ME Assessment.

KHF CEO Dr Anastasia Nyalita made the closing remarks with a vote of thanks to the IFC, Co-operative Bank, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare and Karl Storz among all health sector players from the private and public sector for attending the launch and making sure that it is a success.