KAP and ECSACOP to Tackle Africa’s Health Challenges with Focus on AI
A section of KAP and ECSACOP doctors at a past event. (Photo/ Courtesy)
By Mbungu Harrison
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
The upcoming joint scientific conference hosted by the Kenya Association of Physicians (KAP) and the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP) will address some of Africa’s most urgent health challenges through a series of expert-led sessions.
Scheduled for August 27 to 30, 2025, in Mombasa, the conference aims to foster innovation, collaboration, and practical solutions tailored to the continent’s unique healthcare landscape.
Key topics to be discussed include the revolutionary role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming medical practice-from diagnostics to treatment planning-offering new opportunities to enhance healthcare delivery across Africa.
Participants will also explore the latest clinical management updates through Real-World Evidence (RWE), with a special focus on geriatric medicine, reflecting the continent’s growing elderly population.
The conference will examine strategies for implementing evidence-based clinical guidelines in resource-limited settings, highlighting the crucial role of regional training programs in bridging gaps between policy and practice.
Additionally, sessions will delve into the One Health approach, emphasizing the interconnected health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment-a concept increasingly important amid the challenges posed by climate change.
Infectious diseases and adult vaccination will also feature prominently on the agenda, with discussions centered on emerging health threats, epidemic preparedness, and the need for strengthened public health strategies in an era marked by global change.
This collaborative event is expected to bring together healthcare leaders, physicians, researchers, and trainees from across the region, fostering dialogue and partnerships that will drive Africa’s health innovation forward.
In his welcome message, KAP President Dr. Erick Njenga emphasized the critical role of collaboration in improving healthcare outcomes on the continent.
“As physicians and healthcare leaders from across the continent, we are uniquely positioned to build the partnerships that will shape the future of medicine in Africa,” said Dr. Njenga. “In an era where health challenges are increasingly complex and interconnected, we must lean on collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based practice to drive meaningful progress,” he added.
A major highlight of the event will be the graduation of 15 new ECSACOP-trained physicians from East, Central, and Southern Africa-a milestone celebrating years of dedicated study and practical training in internal medicine. Dr. Njenga extended congratulations to the graduating class and recognized the immense contributions of their mentors, trainers, and families.
“These specialists represent the future of medicine in our region. Their commitment to excellence, even amid resource constraints, is both inspiring and vital for strengthening healthcare systems across Africa,” he noted.
This year’s theme, “Fostering Regional Partnerships for Health Innovation and Research in Africa,” reflects the growing urgency for cross-border collaboration to address the continent’s evolving health challenges. The conference will unite a diverse mix of physicians, researchers, trainees, healthcare leaders, and policymakers from across Africa and beyond.
The conference will feature a robust program of expert-led discussions, research presentations, and thought-leadership sessions focused on Africa’s most urgent health challenges. The two events-the 28th KAP and 10th ECSACOP Annual Scientific Conferences-will be held concurrently from August 27 to 30, 2025, at the PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort in Mombasa.
The presence of high-level dignitaries and thought leaders, including senior officials from Kenya’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Githinji Gitahi -CEO of AMREF Health Africa, the President of the Royal College of Physicians (UK), the President of ECSACOP, and the President of the Kenya Association of Physicians, underscores the event’s importance in shaping continental health policy and advancing clinical practice.
More than just a scientific meeting, the conference provides a vital platform for professional networking, collaborative research, policy dialogue, and mentorship.
“We hope participants leave inspired, empowered, and better connected, this is an opportunity to rethink how we approach medicine in Africa through innovation, collaboration, and a shared vision for healthier communities.” Says Njenga.
Through this partnership, KAP and ECSACOP continue to champion key pillars such as advancing specialist training, promoting collaborative research, and strengthening health systems across Africa.
The 2025 conference is expected to set the pace for the next chapter of African-led healthcare transformation.
