President William Ruto on Wednesday presiding over the official opening of a level five AAR Hospital in Kiambu.
Speaking during the commissioning, President Ruto said that the Government will refine and repackage incentives to attract more healthcare providers in the country.
He said that such a facilitative framework will enhance the well-being of the people.
He added that the Government will endeavour to lower the cost of medicines and medical commodities.
“Our vision is to enhance the health of every Kenyan in order to make them live longer, happier and more productive. Our democracy is robust and accountable while the Judiciary is independent and effective. Kenya is a highly attractive investment spot,” he reiterated.
The 140-bed state-of-the-art facility which began its operations in 2021 was constructed at a cost of Sh3.5 billion through the support of various partners which include the World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation, International Fund for Health in Africa and Swedfund.
It has four operating theatres and boasts a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a nine-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU) and a modern neonatal ICU, while the facility is managed through Hospital Holdings Investment (HHI).
The president was conducted on a tour of the facility by the hospital’s board members led by its Group CEO Steve Okeyo.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Peter Tum represented the Minister for Health, Susan Nakhumicha, at the function.
Others present included the governors of Nairobi and Kiambu Counties, Johnstone Sakaja and Kimani Wamatangi, respectively.
Also present was the Swedish ambassador to Kenya, Caroline Vicini, and members of the board of AAR Group.
Addressing the gathering, Okeyo said the new hospital started receiving patients on July 19, 2021.
“We are committed to putting up additional modern hospitals and clinics in various parts of the country and throughout East Africa in the coming years,” he said.
“The hospital currently serves 200 patients a day and employs 180 people. At full capacity, we aim to serve more than 400 patients a day and to have more than 300 members of staff.”.
According to Mr Okeyo, the new hospital, was built with funds from various donor institutions.
“It is a testimony of the great heights that can be achieved where there is goodwill, a conducive environment for investors, and fruitful collaboration with development partners.”
Last year, the Head of State said he was committed to boost the health sector of Kenya
He proposed some health sector reform to streamline the operations of key health sector delivery agencies.
“We shall reform the National Health Insurance Fund to make it a social health insurance provider, improve procurement of medical supplies, deploy an integrated state-of-the-art health information system,” Dr Ruto said.
