National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) has partnered with Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) to boost medical tourism across Africa, in a move that seeks to position Kenya as a leading destination for quality healthcare on the continent.

The collaboration, signed through Kenya Airways’ healthcare arm KQ Health, brings together the airline’s regional network and AKUH’s advanced medical capabilities to offer a seamless experience for patients travelling to Kenya for specialized treatment.

Under the agreement, KQ Health will handle all logistical arrangements including medical clearances before travel, in-flight medical assistance, and direct ambulance transfers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to AKUH.

The hospital will, in turn, provide specialized care in oncology, cardiology, surgery, and critical care.

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KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka said the deal demonstrates how aviation can help bridge access gaps in essential services.

“By working with Aga Khan University Hospital, we’re connecting people not just to destinations, but to services that can change lives,” he said.

AKUH CEO Rashid Khalani on his part said the partnership represents a major milestone for Kenya’s healthcare sector and for Africa at large.

“This partnership is about showcasing that world-class healthcare can be accessed right here in Africa,” he said.

“For too long, patients from across the continent have had to travel overseas to seek treatment now, they can come to Kenya and receive the same quality of care closer to home.”

Khalani added that the partnership aims not only to benefit the two institutions but also to promote Kenya as a trusted healthcare destination.

Beyond attracting foreign patients, AKUH plans to expand cooperation with local airlines to make healthcare more accessible across Kenya.

Kenya’s medical tourism sector is lows with fewer than 8,000 foreign patients visiting the country for treatment in 2024, according to sector estimates.

Previous studies by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Ministry of Health place the number at between 3,000 and 5,000 patients annually, underscoring the sector’s untapped potential.