NAIROBI, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is developing a strategy to help reduce medical outbound tourism, a government official said on Monday.
Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu told a health forum in Nairobi that in 2016, approximately 10,000 Kenyans sought medical services outside the country.
"The framework for medical tourism aims at positioning Kenya as a destination hub for specialized healthcare services in terms of appealing to both Kenyan and international clients so as to stem the rising tide of outward medical tourism," Mailu said during the Medical Tourism Forum.
The daylong event brought over 100 participants to share experiences on how to develop Kenya's medical sector.
Mailu said that stakeholders are currently providing input on the framework, which could be in place by the end of 2017.
The CS said that the strategic position of Kenya as a rapidly expanding investment and technological hub creates a good opportunity that the country should exploit.
"Already, Kenya receives 3,000 to 5,000 medical tourists from the African region," he added.
Data from the health ministry, indicates that the key reasons patients seek treatment abroad is for the management of non-communicable diseases conditions which are on the increase in Kenya.
Mailu said that the cost of care and epidemiological changes are some of the key driving markets forces for the medical tourism. He noted that medical tourism could help Kenya diversify its tourism industry.
"We know that conventional beach and safari tourism has its challenges," he added. The CS said that promoting medical tourism will go hand in hand with the overall goal of the health sector - that of achieving universal health care.
