Governor Johnson Sakaja Highlights Healthcare Improvements in Nairobi
Governor Johnson Sakaja has taken the stage to defend his performance in delivering quality healthcare services in Nairobi. His recent appearance before the Senate Committee on Health on October 6 marked a significant moment where he outlined key achievements since taking office in 2022.
Sakaja emphasized that public hospitals in Nairobi now have a total of 46 intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which has significantly enhanced emergency response and improved service delivery across county hospitals. He pointed out that before his tenure, there were zero ICU beds in public hospitals within the county.
“Today, we have 18 ICU beds at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, 10 at Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital, and 8 at Mbagathi Hospital, along with new neonatal ICU units. Ten more ICU beds are nearing completion at Mutuini Hospital, which is now 90 percent done,” said Sakaja.
He highlighted that these improvements have significantly bolstered the county’s ability to handle emergencies. Previously, Kenyatta National Hospital was the only public facility with ICU capacity. The establishment of county-level ICUs has helped alleviate the pressure on national hospitals over the past three years.
Sakaja attributed these advancements to a comprehensive health sector review led by Mercy Mwangangi, which recommended restructuring administrative systems in Nairobi’s Level 5 hospitals.
“We changed the management structure of our major hospitals after implementing the committee’s recommendations. It’s a significant step forward, though with a population of seven million, much more still needs to be done,” he said.
In addition to expanding ICU facilities, Sakaja announced the revival of stalled health projects. This includes the completion of a new wing at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, which will add 120 more beds by the end of the financial year. The governor also mentioned the completion of the 400-bed Mutuini Hospital.
“The opening of Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital near Mama Lucy, and the near-completion of the 400-bed Mutuini Hospital, will help ease congestion in the county’s main health facilities and further improve access to quality healthcare for Nairobi residents,” he added.
Sakaja also acknowledged the crucial role played by Community Health Promoters (CHPs). He explained that their work has greatly assisted in serving residents across all 17 sub-counties.
Key Achievements in Nairobi’s Healthcare Sector
- ICU Expansion: A total of 46 ICU beds have been established across Nairobi’s public hospitals.
- 18 beds at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital
- 10 beds at Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital
- 8 beds at Mbagathi Hospital
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10 beds nearing completion at Mutuini Hospital (90% done)
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Health Sector Review: Led by Mercy Mwangangi, this initiative resulted in the restructuring of administrative systems in major hospitals.
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Revival of Stalled Projects:
- New wing at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital: Adds 120 beds by the end of the financial year
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Completion of 400-bed Mutuini Hospital
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New Facilities:
- Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital opened near Mama Lucy
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Mutuini Hospital nearing completion
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Community Health Promoters (CHPs): Played a vital role in reaching residents across all 17 sub-counties.