Portable X-ray among technologies displayed at Nairobi health expo

Healthcare technology companies from across the world converged in Nairobi, Kenya, for the World Health Expo, showcasing equipment and innovations aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment and access to specialized care.

Among the exhibitors was China's Ruihe Medical, which showcased orthopedic products covering joint and sports medicine, spine and trauma care.

Zhejia Shi, a Senior Sales Representative at Ruihe Medical, said the company's large production capacity and competitive pricing could make its products suitable for African markets.

"We bring good quality products to this market," Shi said.

From orthopedic implants and trauma products to portable diagnostic equipment, the expo offered a glimpse into how medical technology is evolving to meet the needs of different healthcare settings.

Among the technologies attracting attention was a lightweight, portable X-ray machine designed for use in hospitals, clinics, intensive care units and remote settings.

Monil Gala, a radiology director from India, said the device was developed to address the limitations of traditional, bulky X-ray machines.

"This is a unique technology which we have come up with. It is a handheld X-ray machine, basically an ultra-portable X-ray, weighing just 2.8 kilograms," Gala said.

He said the machine has an in-built battery that can support about 200 X-rays on a single charge. It also comes with a flat-panel detector that captures images and transfers them wirelessly to accompanying software.

"We have designed a specialized bag wherein you can carry all these items in a bag and you can take X-rays at very remote places," he said.

The technology reflects one of the broader conversations at the expo: how innovation can move beyond major urban hospitals and reach patients in county and rural health facilities.

Participants also called for medical technology deals to go beyond the purchase of equipment. Kenya's Ministry of Health urged partners to incorporate skills training, technology transfer and maintenance into agreements to ensure equipment remains functional long after installation.

The discussions also focused on reducing medical tourism by strengthening local diagnostic and treatment capacity, allowing more patients to access specialized services closer to home.

Digital health was another major theme, with speakers highlighting the need for secure, connected systems that can serve both large hospitals and rural clinics as investment in health technology and artificial intelligence grows.

For Kelvin Ikiara, a customer acquisition manager from Kenya, the expo also provided an opportunity to connect manufacturers with distributors and ultimately consumers.

"I came looking initially for distributors, but it's mostly a lot of manufacturers, which is a good thing because it has given me new ideas about products that are helpful to the final consumer," he said.

Other exhibitors showcased technologies designed to simplify healthcare for patients. Kacper Mazur, a business development director, demonstrated a blood pressure monitor that uses color indicators to make results easier to understand.

"If the result is good, it's green. If it's orange, it's medium. If it's red, it's bad. So, even for people who don't understand the numbers, they can understand the three colors," Mazur said.

He also presented a digital pen-type thermometer using an AI algorithm that can produce a temperature reading in about 15 seconds.

As exhibitors and health stakeholders exchanged ideas in Nairobi, a common message emerged: technology can only transform healthcare when it is supported by skills, maintenance, digital infrastructure and access beyond the capital.