Pan African healthcare brand Shalina has announced plans to
increase its investments in Kenya by opening a consumer division.
The firm will be looking to ride on the new outfit to introduce global brands to the Kenyan
market.
Shalina
Healthcare had in 2022 increased its investments through the acquisition of
Kenya’s Orange Pharmaceutical
This
move pushed the company into the top 5 pharmaceutical companies in Kenya.
“By
leveraging Orange Pharmaceutical’s expertise, Shalina Healthcare expanded its
product portfolio, enhancing its ability to meet the diverse healthcare needs
of the Kenyan population,” said Shalina Healthcare vice president and business
head for East Africa Vikas Khandelwal.
The pharmaceutical company with a 40-year history in Africa,
has expanded its footprint across the continent, now operating in 21 countries.
In 2018, Shalina Healthcare officially launched its operations
in Kenya through the acquisition of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company
(PMC).
The acquisition allowed the company to introduce several
global brands in therapeutic areas such as dermatology and pain management to
the Kenyan market.
“The company remains committed to ensuring that medicines are
safe, effective, and affordable, with manufacturing facilities in India, China,
and parts of Africa supporting this mission,” added Khandelwal
In 2024, healthcare companies are increasingly expanding their
operations in Kenya, driven by the demand for better healthcare services and
advancements in digital health technologies.
Key developments include increased investment in digital
health platforms like telemedicine and AI-powered diagnostics.
Telemedicine, for instance, is helping bridge gaps in
healthcare access, allowing remote consultations and improving care delivery in
underserved regions.
Initiatives like Gertrude's Children's Hospital's Daktari Smart platform are already enhancing treatment options for patients across the country.
Shalina Healthcare says
it is looking to provide affordable medical products to 1 billion people across
Africa.