The government’s plan to roll out a national emergency ambulance service has moved a step closer to reality after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that 107 ambulances have already been approved for the programme.
Duale said the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre is in its final stages of preparation ahead of its planned launch, which President William Ruto recently indicated will take place before the end of July.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Health CS said key systems have already been installed at the dispatch centre and operational testing is ongoing to ensure the service is ready once it goes live.
He added that 40 trained dispatch officers are already on standby to manage calls and coordinate emergency responses from the centre.
“The Dispatch Centre is nearing completion, with systems installed and operational testing underway, while 40 trained dispatch personnel are ready to support call-centre operations. Ambulance empanelment is also progressing well, with 107 ambulances already meeting the required standards,” the statement said.
The update followed a meeting involving senior health officials, including Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni and Social Health Authority (SHA) Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi, who reviewed progress on the project.
Officials also assessed preparations for the planned SHA 112 Lifeline, which is expected to become Kenya’s national emergency response service.
According to the ministry, work on the required ICT infrastructure and communication systems is at an advanced stage, paving the way for the launch of the service.
To ensure Kenyans understand how the system will work, the government has approved a nationwide awareness campaign targeting healthcare workers, county governments, media outlets, community groups and social media users.
Duale said the remaining work includes completing ICT integration, finalising ambulance approvals and conducting final operational tests before the official launch.
Once operational, the dispatch centre is expected to improve the coordination of emergency services by enabling faster ambulance deployment and linking patients to health facilities more efficiently.
President William Ruto has previously said the emergency response system will rely on real-time technology to coordinate ambulances across the country and help reduce delays during emergencies.
The Head of State also announced that emergency ambulance services under the programme will be offered free of charge to all Kenyans and will operate under the Digital Health Agency framework.
The launch will mark a major milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen emergency medical services and improve access to urgent healthcare across the country.