Expansion of Critical Care Services in Nairobi County
Nairobi County has made significant progress in enhancing its critical care services, dramatically increasing the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds available in public hospitals. Within just three years, the ICU capacity has grown from zero to 46 beds, a remarkable transformation that has alleviated pressure on the city’s primary healthcare facility, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Governor Johnson Sakaja highlighted this achievement during his appearance before the Senate Committee on Health. He emphasized that the expansion has improved the county’s emergency response capabilities and reduced the burden on KNH, which had previously handled most of the critical care cases for Nairobi residents.
New ICU Units Across Public Hospitals
Sakaja shared specific details about the new ICU units established in various public hospitals. At Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, there are now 18 ICU beds, while Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital has 10. Mbagathi Hospital also contributes with 8 ICU beds, along with new neonatal ICU units. Additionally, 10 more ICU beds are under construction at Mutuini Hospital, which is currently 90% complete.
Previously, KNH was the sole public hospital in Nairobi offering ICU services. The introduction of county-level units has helped distribute the workload more evenly across the health system, improving the overall response to medical emergencies.
Structural Reforms and Health Sector Review
The improvements have been attributed to a comprehensive review of the county’s health sector conducted by Dr. Mercy Mwangangi. This review led to recommendations for changes in the administrative structures of Nairobi’s Level 5 hospitals. Sakaja confirmed that these changes have already started to show positive results.
“We restructured the management of our major hospitals following the committee’s recommendations. It’s a significant step forward, although with a population of seven million, much more still needs to be done,” he stated.
Progress on Stalled Projects
In addition to the ICU expansions, the governor reported on the progress of previously stalled health projects. A new wing at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital is expected to add 120 beds by the end of the financial year. The 400-bed Mutuini Hospital is also nearing completion and is anticipated to further ease congestion in major hospitals.
“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,” Sakaja said.
Role of Community Health Promoters
Sakaja also emphasized the importance of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in expanding access to healthcare across all 17 sub-counties. Their efforts have played a crucial role in ensuring that more residents can receive timely and effective medical care.