The government has approved plans to build a new 2,000-bed Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital as part of a wider programme to expand hospital capacity and improve access to specialised treatment.
The plan, announced after a Cabinet meeting on Friday, October 9, also includes the construction of a 1,000-bed Level Six hospital in Mombasa.
In addition, 13 Level Five hospitals across the country will be expanded, with each facility set to get an additional 300 beds.
The hospitals targeted for expansion are in Mandera, Marsabit, Turkana, Kilifi, Embu, Nakuru, Laikipia, Migori, Nyamira, Baringo, Bomet, Narok and Kisii counties.
According to the Cabinet, the programme is expected to ease congestion in referral hospitals and bring specialised medical services closer to patients who currently have to travel long distances to access treatment.
The expansion is part of the government’s wider push to improve healthcare services and support the delivery of Universal Health Coverage.
Cabinet also approved a separate KSh8 billion healthcare programme in partnership with France.
The programme will see specialised head and neck surgical units established and equipped at Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital.
It will also support cancer treatment and the training of 5,000 community health workers.
The two programmes are expected to strengthen the country’s capacity to handle specialised medical cases, while improving access to treatment in public health facilities.
