Kenya to build 8 referral hospitals

Plans are underway to build eight referral hospitals to ease pressure on Kenyatta National Hospital and other referral centres, President Kibaki said on Monday.

The 23 provincial and district hospitals will also be rehabilitated to improve access to health care for poor Kenyans.

President Kibaki made the announcement when he opened the first ever eye bank in East Africa, whose construction was sponsored by Mr Khanubai Babla of the Lions Club International.

The Nation has learnt that Medical Services minister Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o has already prepared a brief on construction of the referral hospitals, which will soon be presented to Cabinet for approval.

Said President Kibaki: “We are working on a major plan to create centres of excellence at all provincial general hospitals in the country... to help decongest our two referral hospitals.”

The new medical centres will be not only well equipped but also affordable, he added.

Government estimates indicate that 40 per cent of the total health expenditure is borne by individual Kenyans.

This, President Kibaki, said was sad as it had the potential of making more Kenyans slip into poverty as a result of the medical expenses.

In the current financial year, the health sector was allocated Sh47 billion, up from Sh34 billion the previous year.

President Kibaki said priority will also be given to prevention and treatment of eye diseases especially among children.

“Most of these children, especially from low income communities live for years with undetected sight problems, while many suffer irreversible damages,” the President said.

Statistics indicate that about 250,000 Kenyans are blind while 750,000 others suffer from low vision.

“I note with gratitude that the Lions club has continued to play a frontline role in providing eye treatment especially in eliminating preventable diseases,” he said.

Prof Nyong’o said it was unfortunate that Kenya did not have the necessary equipment for delicate operations like eye transplants.