State to upgrade Garissa hospital to national referral facility, says CS Duale

Health CS Aden Duale speaking at the wedding ceremony. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

The government is planning to upgrade the Garissa County Referral Hospital to a level six national teaching and referral facility, Health CS Aden Duale has said.

Duale made the revelations on Saturday while addressing guests during the wedding ceremony of Abdi Mahat Somane and Yasmin Dekow Mohamed Barrow in Garissa.

Yasmin is the daughter of Garissa Township MP Dekow Barrow.

Duale said the proposed Garissa National Teaching and Referral Hospital will serve residents of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Lamu and Isiolo counties, significantly enhancing access to specialised healthcare services across the region.

"This is a transformative investment that will bring specialised healthcare services closer to our people, and President William Ruto will soon make the official announcement," Duale said.

Other health facilities across the region are also earmarked for elevation as part of a broader strategy to expand the healthcare network and improve the quality of medical services.

"From the LAPSSET Corridor Project to the ongoing tarmacking of the Isiolo–Wajir–Mandera trunk road, the government is delivering transformative infrastructure. Garissa county alone has benefited from approximately 400 kilometres of tarmacked roads," he said.

Duale said the Social Health Authority is a game changer that is enabling ordinary Kenyans to access affordable, quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.

Once officially elevated, the proposed Garissa National Teaching and Referral Hospital will join the ranks of Kenya's premier referral institutions, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching.

The upgrade is expected to significantly reduce the need for patients from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Lamu and Isiolo counties to travel long distances in search of specialised treatment.

Duale’s announcement came barely a week after Garissa Governor Nathif Jama also called for the elevation of the Referral Hospital to a level 6 facility, saying the move will improve healthcare access across Northern Kenya.

Jama said upgrading the facility will unlock more national funding, attract highly specialised medical personnel, expand training and research opportunities and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances in search for advanced treatment.

He said the elevation would not only benefit Garissa residents but also strengthen healthcare services for neighbouring counties that depend on the facility for specialised care.