Revital Healthcare EPZ is a Kenyan medical device manufacturer that provides reliable, affordable, unique, and thoughtfully developed high-quality medical devices and supply chain solutions to boost access to sensitive products across the globe.
Medical devices that are used in diagnosing, preventing, monitoring, or even treating medical conditions are a big part of the pharmaceutical sector.
However, Africa imports nearly all its vaccines and a substantial portion of its medicines and medical devices, leading to high costs and limited access for many. This reliance on imports exacerbates supply chain disruptions, making it difficult for communities to access necessary healthcare products.
Revital Healthcare’s Solution: Local Manufacturing
Recognizing this need, Revital embarked on a mission to manufacture high-quality, affordable medical devices locally.
Roneek Vora, the company’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said, “We wanted to see less importation in Africa happening for critical medical supplies.”
As a result, it became the first East and Central African company to manufacture medical devices such as immunosyringes, Auto-Disabled Syringes, vacuum tubes, rapid diagnostic kits, viral transport mediums, and infusion sets.
Auto-disabled syringes are designed for use in mass immunization programs and are locked after a single use, effectively preventing their reuse. This design ensures safe vaccinations and reduces the risk of infections that can arise from contaminated needles.
The company established its second manufacturing plant in 2017, which has enabled it to expand to become one of the largest manufacturers of medical disposable products in Africa with a product portfolio of 48 medical devices and exporting to over 45 countries globally. It also supplies to numerous government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private clientele.
With a manufacturing capacity of over 1 billion medical devices annually, the company continues to contribute to the livelihood of over 10,000 people across Kenya and the healthcare sector.
Currently, the company employs over 600 people annually. Its success highlights Africa’s untapped potential in the healthcare sector.
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The Challenge of Medical Device Imports in Africa
Studies show that Africa imports about $4 billion of medical devices, representing about 90 per cent of its needs. The nations with the highest percentage of the continent’s imports are South Africa (18%), Egypt (12%), Morocco (8%) and Kenya (2.5%).
According to data released during the Medtech Conference, the pipeline of medical devices does not flow just one way, however. A small, but growing, medical devices industry in Africa exports about $600 million in equipment every year, representing 0.3 per cent of the global sector.
With innovations like auto-disabled syringes and a rapid test kit facility producing 20 million kits monthly, Revital aims to help save millions of lives in Kenya and across the globe.
This key achievement indicates a major shift toward self-reliance in manufacturing health commodities on the continent. Its strategic location near the port of Mombasa is helping to expand its reach, reducing reliance on imports.
Commitment to Quality and Innovation
Pramod Nayak, Revital Healthcare’s Plant Head, describes Revital’s reach, “We export to our neighbouring countries, including Sub-Saharan Africa and even South Africa. Even some countries, in the West of Africa, like Morocco.”
By championing the growth of local manufacturing, Africa is paving the way towards robust and self-reliant health systems, ensuring people can obtain and use health commodities when and where they need them.
Revital Healthcare was also the first African company to receive the World Health Organization (WHO) Prequalification for its auto-disabled (AD) syringe.
In 2024, the company opened a rapid test kit production facility that can produce 20 million kits a month that can screen for HIV, malaria, hepatitis, and syphilis.
As an African leader within the healthcare sector, the company has continued to push the boundaries of quality through the implementation of international standards.
As priorities shift towards strengthening local manufacturing capabilities across Africa, companies like Revital will be pivotal drivers of change towards more robust, self-sufficient health systems on the continent.
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