Principal Secretary for Medical Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ouma Oluga, visited Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on April 28, 2025, for his first official visit to assess the hospital’s service delivery and its contributions towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The visit focused on recognizing the hospital’s efforts in providing specialized healthcare services, training healthcare professionals, and conducting cutting-edge research.
Dr. Oluga commended MTRH for its critical role in the country’s healthcare system. He highlighted that the hospital treats over 1.5 million patients annually, performs more than 60,000 surgeries, and conducts over 2 million laboratory tests each year. These impressive figures position MTRH as one of the country’s most vital healthcare institutions. The Principal Secretary also toured various key facilities within the hospital, including the Radiotherapy Centre, Renal Centre, Catheterization Laboratory (Cathlab), and specialized MRI services. During his visit, he praised the hospital’s efforts in expanding access to advanced medical care within the region, which is critical for both local and national healthcare needs.
One of the notable aspects of MTRH’s success is its strong partnerships with international institutions in North America and Europe. These collaborations continue to bolster the hospital’s clinical and research capacities, enabling it to offer advanced treatment options and innovative healthcare solutions. Additionally, Dr. Oluga recognized MTRH’s successful integration of the Social Health Authority (SHA) model, which has streamlined insurance processing and improved patient access to care, particularly for marginalized groups and those in need of specialized treatment.
Dr. Oluga also emphasized the Ministry of Health’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery across the country. He called for enhanced collaboration between referral hospitals like MTRH and county health facilities. By building capacity at the county level to manage non-critical cases, the pressure on MTRH can be alleviated, improving service delivery and reducing patient congestion at the hospital. He noted that it is essential for county hospitals to be equipped to handle a wider range of medical cases, thus enabling MTRH to focus on more complex and specialized care.
Dr. Oluga further discussed three critical pillars for the health sector: restoring public trust, upholding integrity, and delivering quality services. He stressed that every healthcare worker plays an integral role in delivering efficient and dignified care, underlining the importance of professionalism and commitment in the medical field. These principles, he pointed out, are vital in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care and that the government’s vision for UHC is realized.
The visit was attended by MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Philip Kirwa, board members, and senior management, as well as Mr. Douglas Bosire, Acting CEO of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, and Ms. Agnes Tuiyot, representing the Chief Executive Officer of the Social Health Authority. MTRH serves a population of over 25 million people from 27 counties in Western Kenya, providing essential medical services to a large portion of the country’s population.
Dr. Oluga’s visit reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to supporting institutions like MTRH in their role in delivering on the government’s healthcare agenda. The focus on expanding access to advanced medical care, improving healthcare infrastructure, and ensuring efficient service delivery continues to be a priority for the Ministry in its pursuit of Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans.
