Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has signed a Sh1.8 billion grant agreement with the Chinese government to modernise six key regional hospitals. The agreement, inked on Thursday with Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan, underscores the strong bilateral relations between the two nations.
Among the hospitals set to benefit from the funding are Londiani Referral Hospital in Kericho, Baringo County Referral Hospital, and Kilifi Hospital. Other beneficiaries include Misikhu Hospital, Bildad Kagia Hospital, and Kaimosi Farmers Training College.
Speaking at the signing event, CS Mbadi expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its continued support, noting that the grant aligns with Kenya’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). “The partnership underscores strong bilateral ties between Kenya and China. This funding will go a long way in improving healthcare infrastructure and service delivery,” he said.
The planned upgrades aim to address critical gaps in the country’s healthcare infrastructure. According to the 2023 Health Facility Census, many health facilities in Kenya lack essential infrastructure, with 51% of them operating without functional ambulances. While 87% of facilities reported having access to the national power grid, only 45% relied on piped or municipal council water supply. Additionally, 69% of the facilities lacked an Electronic Healthcare Information System (EHIS), limiting efficient service delivery.
The census further highlighted that while 84% of health facilities were accessible by road throughout the year, only 47% had disability-friendly infrastructure. Among these, just 4% had all essential disability-friendly amenities, including ramps, wheelchairs, washrooms, and maternity beds. The least available were disability-friendly maternity beds, present in only 7% of facilities.
The funding from China is expected to enhance medical services, improve infrastructure, and address key deficiencies identified in the census report. The initiative aligns with the Kenyan government’s long-term plan to strengthen healthcare access and quality, ensuring that regional hospitals are well-equipped to serve their communities effectively.
As the country moves forward with its healthcare reform agenda, investments such as these will be crucial in bridging the existing infrastructure gaps and improving overall service delivery.
