This archive report was first published on 29 September 2021.
September 29, 2021 - Nairobi, Kenya. President Uhuru Kenyatta has taken a significant step towards improving healthcare access in Nairobi by commissioning two hospitals in Kibera informal settlements.
The President, accompanied by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, officially opened the Kibra and Undugu Highrise health facilities, which are part of the Nairobi Metropolitan Service's (NMS) ongoing efforts to expand access to healthcare in the city.
Speaking to residents, President Kenyatta emphasized the importance of universal healthcare, stating, 'We move forward towards achieving universal healthcare for all. A universal healthcare as we now call it UHC is one of the four key national development targets with an aspiration that all persons in Kenya will be able to access quality and affordable essential services that they need for their health and wellbeing through a single unified benefit package without the risk of financial catastrophe.'
The President noted that despite Nairobi being the country's capital, with a population of almost five million people, over 40 percent of residents rely on the Kenyatta National Hospital as their primary healthcare provider. He regretted that lack of adequate health facilities had led to a high disease burden and mortality rates.
As part of the Government's march towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nairobi, President Kenyatta announced that NMS had completed 13 hospitals out of the 28 hospitals being constructed across the city's 17 subcounties, largely located in informal settlements and under-served neighborhoods.
The President also launched a fleet of ambulances to enhance delivery of emergency healthcare in the populous Kibera informal settlement, reiterating his commitment to improving the lives of Kenyans through tangible actions.
