Nigeria Hosts Major Healthcare Expo as WHX Opens in Lagos
Nigeria’s growing importance in Africa’s healthcare sector will come into sharp focus next week as the World Health Expo (WHX) opens in Lagos, bringing together healthcare leaders, investors, manufacturers and policymakers from across the world.
The three-day exhibition, scheduled to hold from June 2 to June 4 at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, is expected to attract more than 8,000 professional visitors, over 500 exhibitors and participants from more than 40 countries.
Organisers described the event as one of the largest healthcare gatherings in West Africa, aimed at driving business partnerships, healthcare investments and innovation across the region.
The expo comes amid increasing investment in Africa’s digital-health ecosystem, as hospitals and healthcare providers continue to adopt technology-driven solutions to improve patient care, reduce operational costs and expand access to medical services.
According to insights released by WHX, digital-health investments in Africa reached $3.8 billion in 2023 and are projected to rise significantly by 2030 as healthcare systems across the continent embrace digitisation.
The exhibition will showcase a broad range of healthcare products and services, including diagnostics, medical imaging, healthcare infrastructure, laboratory technologies, medical devices, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, wellness products and healthcare IT solutions.
Nigeria’s healthcare market, driven by a population of over 230 million people, is also attracting increasing attention from global healthcare suppliers and investors seeking opportunities within the West African region.
Stakeholders say ongoing reforms and initiatives aimed at improving healthcare procurement and infrastructure are positioning Nigeria as a strategic gateway for medical trade and healthcare investments.
President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, Njide Ndili, said the exhibition would provide buyers and healthcare providers with direct access to healthcare and diagnostic products relevant to the West African market.
She added that the expo would help strengthen medical trade within the region while accelerating access to quality healthcare solutions.
“The Healthcare Federation is proud to be a partner to WHX and convenes the Healthcare Market Access and Policy Leadership Forum during the three-day exhibition,” she said.
Among the new additions to the event is an integrated Lab Zone expected to feature live demonstrations, practical workshops and networking opportunities for healthcare professionals and suppliers.
Another feature, WHX Connect, is designed to connect verified distributors in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, laboratory equipment and consumables with exhibitors and manufacturers.
The event will also host three major leadership forums focusing on healthcare policy, investment and laboratory science.
The Healthcare Market Access and Policy Leadership Forum will hold on June 2 in partnership with the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, while the Hospital Investment and Buyer Leadership Forum is scheduled for June 3 in collaboration with ABCHealth.
The Heads of Laboratory Forum, organised in partnership with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, will hold on June 4.
Portfolio Director for Healthcare at Informa Markets, Tom Coleman, said the event would create opportunities for healthcare buyers, suppliers, investors and policymakers to build partnerships capable of improving healthcare delivery across the region.
He described WHX as more than an exhibition, noting that it would serve as a platform for collaboration and innovation within West Africa’s healthcare value chain.
المصدر: Daily Trust (NG)