Kenya will roll out a nationwide ambulance service before the end of the year, a move expected to transform emergency healthcare delivery across the country.
Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, Chief Executive Officer of the Social Health Authority (SHA), confirmed that the system will allow citizens to call a central toll-free number, where their location will be tracked digitally and an ambulance dispatched to the nearest facility.
“Very soon, you’ll be able to pick up your phone, call a number—possibly 999—your location will be identified, mapped, and an ambulance dispatched to transport you to an emergency centre,” Dr. Mwangangi said in a recent interview.
Under the new programme, SHA will cover Sh4,500 for each emergency evacuation. Patients will also receive 24 hours of free emergency care at the receiving hospital.
“This service will eliminate financial barriers to accessing emergency care,” Dr. Mwangangi noted, adding that the initiative is a central pillar of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms aimed at improving access to quality healthcare, especially in rural and underserved regions.
The ambulance system will be supported by real-time tracking technology to reduce delays and ensure faster response times.