Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has launched a major milestone in Kenya’s healthcare transformation by commissioning advanced medical infrastructure at King Fahad Hospital in Lamu County. The new developments include a fully functional oxygen plant, a five-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the Timamy Suites for specialized care, and a cutting-edge 128-slice Fuji CT scan machine.
These enhancements, delivered under Phase I of the National Equipment Service Program (NESP), are part of a broader strategy to fast-track the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kenya. The upgrades mark a significant step toward bridging the gap in health equity by ensuring that even remote and underserved areas have access to critical diagnostic and therapeutic services.
The CT scanner, which is the first of its kind at the facility, will substantially improve diagnostic accuracy and enable timely, life-saving interventions. With its high-speed imaging capabilities, the 128-slice CT scan provides clinicians with precise data for a wide range of conditions, from trauma to chronic diseases. This investment positions Lamu among the leading counties in adopting advanced diagnostic technologies under NESP.
Complementing the CT scan are the Timamy Suites and the newly equipped ICU, which will offer specialized inpatient care and critical care services that were previously inaccessible within the county. This means patients will no longer need to travel long distances to Mombasa or Nairobi for essential medical services.
To further bolster healthcare delivery in the region, a mammogram and MRI machine are expected to be delivered to King Fahad Hospital in July. These additions will expand the hospital’s capacity to diagnose conditions such as cancer and neurological disorders, significantly reducing diagnostic delays and associated travel costs for patients.
The Ministry of Health is implementing NESP through a fee-for-service model aimed at ensuring sustainability and efficiency. By moving from centralized procurement to a county-led, demand-driven approach, the program aligns medical equipment deployment with the actual needs of healthcare facilities. This model not only reduces the financial burden on county governments but also promotes better management of medical assets.
Overall, the health infrastructure upgrades in Lamu reflect a shift toward equitable, decentralized healthcare. The investments are expected to boost patient outcomes, improve service delivery, and bring quality care closer to communities. As Kenya continues to pursue UHC, such initiatives underscore the government’s resolve to transform the health sector and ensure that no region is left behind in the journey toward accessible and affordable healthcare for all.
