West Africa's foremost healthcare and laboratory exhibition has undergone a significant transformation, rebranding from Medic West Africa and Medlab West Africa to WHX Lagos and WHX Labs Lagos. Now in its 12th edition, this strategic evolution aims to create a more unified and comprehensive platform for healthcare innovation across the region.
According to Tom Coleman, Group Exhibition Director at Informa Markets, the rebrand reflects the growing interconnectedness between healthcare and laboratory ecosystems. "While Medic West Africa and Medlab West Africa have built strong legacies in their respective fields, we recognized the growing synergy between these sectors," Coleman explained.
The new identity under the World Health Exhibition (WHX) umbrella signifies a strategic move to better serve the entire healthcare community. WHX Lagos encompasses the broader healthcare spectrum, including medical equipment, digital health solutions, and infrastructure, while WHX Labs Lagos specifically focuses on diagnostics, laboratory technology, and scientific advancements.
Enhanced Features and Initiatives
The rebranded event introduces several new features designed to enhance the experience for all stakeholders. Attendees can expect more cross-functional networking opportunities and integrated content bridging the gap between clinical and laboratory professionals. The conference programme has been expanded to cover a broader spectrum of healthcare challenges and innovations.
"We're creating joint sessions and dedicated networking zones that encourage collaboration," Coleman noted. "More targeted networking sessions are being curated based on specific interests and professional roles, ensuring attendees can build more meaningful and relevant connections."
Addressing Critical Healthcare Challenges
WHX Lagos and WHX Labs Lagos aim to serve as catalysts in addressing critical healthcare challenges in West Africa. The exhibition facilitates access to medical equipment by bringing together international and local manufacturers and suppliers, allowing healthcare providers to source solutions that improve infrastructure and patient care.
Through its dedicated Digital Health conference track, the event highlights the transformative potential of digital solutions, creating a forum for discussions around telemedicine, health informatics, artificial intelligence, and mobile health applications. Meanwhile, WHX Labs Lagos focuses on advancing laboratory innovations by spotlighting the latest in diagnostics, automation, and point-of-care testing.
Benefits for Exhibitors and Partners
The transformation offers significant benefits for exhibitors and sponsors, providing wider audience reach and enabling engagement with a more diverse range of stakeholders. Partners such as Crown Healthcare, SIEMENS Healthineers, Dedalus, West African Institute of Public Health, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, and the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria stand to gain from enhanced visibility.
"The integration allows for more tailored and strategic sponsorship packages that connect with targeted or cross-disciplinary audiences," Coleman said. "This paves the way for new business opportunities and collaborations between clinical and laboratory professionals."
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, WHX Lagos and WHX Labs Lagos are positioned to continue evolving and innovating. Future plans include a greater emphasis on showcasing cutting-edge technologies, incorporating emerging healthcare sectors relevant to West Africa, and strengthening partnerships with regional healthcare organizations and governments.
The rebranded exhibition also aims to promote sustainable healthcare practices by showcasing resource-efficient technologies, facilitating knowledge sharing, and connecting stakeholders for collaborative solutions to the region's healthcare challenges.
"Our commitment is to remain agile, responsive to industry trends, and dedicated to serving as the premier platform for advancing healthcare and laboratory excellence in West Africa," Coleman concluded.
