Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is steadily expanding its capacity to provide specialised healthcare following major investments in modern medical equipment, infrastructure upgrades and partnerships with the private sector aimed at improving patient care.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Friday toured the country’s largest referral hospital to inspect ongoing projects that are expected to enhance access to affordable specialised treatment under the government’s Taifa Care model.
The visit highlighted significant improvements across several departments, with the hospital recording notable gains in renal care, diagnostic imaging, maternal health and inpatient services.
Among the projects inspected was the refurbished Renal Unit, which has strengthened dialysis services for patients with kidney disease.
Duale also toured the diagnostic imaging department, where four new ultrasound machines acquired through the National Equipment Service Programme (NESP) are now helping serve at least 30 patients every day.
The Cabinet Secretary also visited the Mammography Unit, where advanced imaging technology is supporting early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, a critical step in improving treatment outcomes.
KNH has also increased its bed capacity after renovating four inpatient wards through partnerships with both the public and private sectors.
Three wards were refurbished with support from Co-operative Bank of Kenya, while another was renovated using funds from the Nakumatt Fire Victims Fund. The two projects have seen 150 new beds being added to the hospital, thus helping ease congestion in one of the busiest referral hospitals in the country.
During the tour, it was evident that the partnership between the private sector and the public health sector is growing stronger.
Through the M-PESA Foundation, the Safaricom Company has been able to fund the renovation of the GFB Antenatal and Postnatal Ward and the Main Newborn Unit in the hospital.
The Cabinet Secretary was also able to check how the construction of the In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Centre of Excellence at the hospital is progressing and noted that it is almost completed at 98 percent.
After completion, the facility will be offering affordable fertility treatments and reproductive health services thus saving Kenyans who were seeking for the treatment from outside the country.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the investments made by the government in the National Referral Hospitals show that the government is committed to providing access to quality specialized health care facilities in the country.
He went on to say that strengthening KNH is important for the achievement of Universal Health Coverage in the country.
Duale was received by Kenyatta National Hospital Board Chairperson Abbas Gullet and Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Lesiyampe, who briefed him on the progress of the ongoing projects and the hospital’s plans to further improve service delivery.
