CS Mbadi inks Sh1.8bn Chinese grant to modernise key regional hospitals

At least six key hospitals spread across the country are poised for a major upgrade following a partnership deal between Kenya and the Chinese government.

The agreement signed Thursday between Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan will see the government get a Sh1.8 billion grant for the purpose.

Among the health facilities that are set to benefit from the funding are Londiani Referral Hospital in Kericho, Baringo County Referral Hospital and Kilifi Hospital.

Others are Misikhu Hospital, Bildad Kagia Hospital, and Kaimosi Farmers Training College.

Speaking during the event, Mbadi thanked the Chinese government for its continued support, saying this shows its commitment to their strong relations.

“The partnership underscores strong bilateral ties between Kenya and China,” he said adding that the grant is a significant boost to Kenya’s healthcare sector.

The planned upgrade of these regional facilities is in line with the government’s effort to ensure the delivery of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

According to the Health Facility Census report 2023, most health facilities lack essential infrastructure to be able to provide key services.

The census, which targeted 14,366 health facilities, revealed that a majority lack the necessary equipment for basic services.

Poor availability and quality of infrastructure is one factor, among others, that is said to affect the provision of healthcare services.

Over 80% of the facilities had a reliable power and water source; 87% reported the national grid as their main source of power, while 45% of facilities used piped/municipal council water supply.

Half of the facilities (51%) lacked access to functional ambulances.

Furthermore, 84% of facilities were accessible by road all year round.

More than two-thirds of facilities (69%) did not use any electronic healthcare information system (EHIS), with 62% among those who had an EHIS using integrated/end-to-end systems.

“Investments should be made to increase facilities connected to piped water from 45% and ensure all weather access to all facilities,” it states.

“Further, all facilities should have power back-up systems in place," the report states.

Overall, 47 per cent of facilities had disability friendly infrastructure; however, only 4% of the facilities had all the tracer disability friendly infrastructure, including ramps/lifts, wheelchairs, disability friendly washrooms and disability friendly maternity beds.

Ramps/lifts were the most reported (82%) while disability friendly maternity beds were least readily available at 7%.

“Provision of disability friendly infrastructure in health care facilities should be prioritised in all facilities," the report stated.