Kenya has unveiled a new approach to equipping public hospitals, replacing outright purchases with a service-based model under the National Equipment Services Project (NESP). This initiative eliminates the need for public hospitals to invest in costly machines, instead allowing them to access diagnostic and treatment equipment on a pay-per-use basis. Costs will be covered through the Social Health Authority, with service providers reimbursed for each procedure performed.
In this arrangement, private sector partners supply, install, maintain, and service medical equipment, removing the financial burden from county health facilities. The model replaces the previous Medical Equipment Scheme, which often resulted in underused or broken machines due to high capital costs and inadequate maintenance agreements.
So far, 45 counties have signed the Intergovernmental Participatory Agreement required to activate the programme. Since June, over 60,000 medical services have been delivered across 29 facilities in 18 counties under NESP. The system aims to ensure consistent equipment availability, timely maintenance, and guaranteed uptime of 95 percent.
NESP also includes continuous training for health workers, supply of reagents and consumables, and the replacement of outdated or faulty machines. This is expected to reduce referral delays, improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes, and strengthen Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
Recent deliveries under the programme include modern CT scan machines, ultrasound devices, dialysis units, and digital X-ray systems for various county hospitals. Over the next two months, the rollout will expand with an additional 58 digital X-rays, 65 ultrasound machines, 19 CT scanners, 100 theatre equipment sets, and 100 laboratory systems.
Beyond equipment provision, the government is building a national digital health backbone to support the new model. As of now, 25.2 million Kenyans have registered with the Social Health Authority, which has partnered with over 11,000 hospitals, clinics, and health centres. Since October 2024, more than Sh56.4 billion has been paid for services under the new health financing framework through the Social Health Insurance Fund and the Primary Healthcare Fund.
This digital transformation is designed to improve efficiency, curb fraud, and provide Kenyans with faster and more reliable access to healthcare. By shifting from a fragmented procurement process to a smart, service-led delivery model, the country aims to make modern medical care both sustainable and widely accessible.
