The role played by the private sector in the financial sustainability of health care delivery systems will be the main focus during the fourth annual East African Healthcare Federation Conference that takes place in Kigali next month.

Dr Jean Nyirinkwaya, chairman of the Rwanda Healthcare Federation, noted that the conference will discuss ways of improving delivery of healthcare services in the region.

The Rwanda Healthcare Federation together with the Rwanda Development Board, will host the annual conference from May 17-19 at the Kigali Serena Hotel under the theme, "Topical and relevant to this region in this present time”.

It will attract over 400 international and regional delegates from the public and private sectors, according to Nyirinkwaya. "We are experiencing the fastest economic growth numbers yet our healthcare delivery systems are not growing at the same pace,” he said in a statement, noting that the public and private sector need to work together to change the situation.

Over 30 private healthcare companies will display their innovative solutions during the exhibition that is part of the conference.

East Africa Healthcare Federation’s Amit Thakker said the four-year-old group provides a platform to discuss sustainable healthcare advancement strategies that answer dynamic and challenging needs of the region.

ben.gasore@newtimes.co.rw