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Kenya Airways (KQ) has teamed up with Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) to promote medical tourism in Africa, aiming to establish Kenya as a top destination for high-quality healthcare on the continent.
The partnership, facilitated through KQ Health, the airline’s healthcare division, combines KQ’s regional flight network with AKUH’s advanced medical services to provide a seamless experience for patients traveling to Kenya for specialized treatment.
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Under the agreement, KQ Health will manage travel logistics, including medical clearances, in-flight medical support, and direct ambulance transfers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to AKUH. The hospital will deliver care in oncology, cardiology, surgery, and critical care.
KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka said the deal highlights how aviation can bridge access gaps in essential services.
“By partnering with Aga Khan University Hospital, we’re connecting people not just to destinations, but to services that can transform lives,” he said.
AKUH CEO Rashid Khalani described the collaboration as a milestone for Kenya’s healthcare sector and Africa at large, adding: “For too long, patients across the continent have traveled overseas for treatment. Now, they can access world-class care here in Kenya.”
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The partnership aims to benefit both institutions while positioning Kenya as a trusted medical tourism hub. AKUH also plans to work with other local airlines to make healthcare more accessible domestically.
Medical tourism in Kenya remains underdeveloped, with fewer than 8,000 foreign patients seeking treatment in 2024, according to estimates.
Previous studies by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Ministry of Health reported between 3,000 and 5,000 foreign patients annually, highlighting the sector’s untapped potential.
