The government will invest KSh29 billion to establish 13 new Level 5, 300-bed comprehensive county referral hospitals as part of efforts to expand access to specialised healthcare and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Health CS Aden Duale announced the plan during a consultative meeting to review the proposed hospital projects, which are expected to strengthen healthcare services and reduce pressure on national referral facilities.
The new hospitals will be constructed in Kilifi, Mandera, Marsabit, Embu, Migori, Nyamira, Turkana, Baringo, Nakuru, Bomet, Narok and Laikipia counties.
Each facility will have at least 16 ICU beds and 10 HDU beds. The hospital will also be equipped with modern diagnostic and treatment technologies to increase counties’ capacity to manage complex and critical medical conditions.
The projects will complement the ongoing first phase of the 2000-bed Kiplombe multi-specialty hospital and plans to establish a Level 6 facility in Mombasa.
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The government expects the expanded network of specialised hospitals to improve access to advanced healthcare services while reducing pressure on national referral hospitals.
“The initiative is anchored on equity and need, with the selection of counties informed by population size, disease burden, existing health infrastructure and the availability of funding through Government, development partners and prive-sector partnerships,” the Ministry of Health indicated.
Climate-Resilient Designs
Duale also reviewed proposed designs for the new hospitals, which prioritise sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The designs include green engineering, increased use of solar energy and improved spaces for both patients and healthcare workers.
The Health CS stressed the importance of establishing clear implementation timelines, county-level coordination, accountability and regular progress reporting to ensure the projects move from the design stage to construction and eventual service delivery without unnecessary delays.
He also called for close collaboration between the National and County Governments, noting that counties must prepare land, secure approvals and utilities, and plan for staffing and other requirements alongside construction.
According to Duale, these preparations will help ensure the facilities are ready to begin operations once construction is completed.
Strengthening Healthcare System
The 13 new facilities will add to Kenya’s existing network of 14,883 health facilities and are expected to strengthen healthcare delivery across several areas.
These include health workforce capacity, health information systems, medical technologies, health financing and governance.
The government says the expansion of Level 5 hospitals is part of broader efforts to improve access to specialised healthcare and advance Universal Health Coverage across the country.
