Equity Group Holdings aspires to open 300 operational hospitals in Kenya by 2025, CEO James Mwangi has said.
Mwangi said as a company, they are committed to making this a reality through their health merchandise, Equity Afya Clinics.
He said there are 81 such clinics in the country so far.
Mwangi said the merchandise was a creation by Equity as a continuation of the support to beneficiaries of Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship programmes who graduate with medicine after completing their university studies.
Each beneficiary who becomes a qualified doctor is given Sh20 million incentive to establish an Equity Afya Clinic.
“We have created a franchise called Equity Afya for those who have done medicine. We want to transform and disrupt health in this country to make it affordable, reliable and dependable for all,” Mwangi said.
Mwangi was speaking while addressing the press during the 13th annual Regional Education and Leadership Congress for Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship Program beneficiaries at Machakos High School on Monday.
The event was attended by 1, 500 beneficiaries from Machakos, Makueni and Kajiado counties.
“Our aspiration is that by the end of this year, 150 health clinics shall have been opened by Equity. By 2025, we are confident we shall have established and operationalise 300 hospitals in Kenya,” Mwangi said.
The CEO said the health facilities compliment the government’s health system.
He said Equity Afya Clinics charge 40 per cent less fees compared to other clinics in the country.
“It’s deliberately intentional. It’s guaranteed on quality health because it’s a franchise monitored by Equity Group Foundation and Equity Bank and ensures our customers get the best health they could at affordable rates,” Mwangi said.
He said the meeting was intended to motivate Form three and Four ahead students ahead of their national examinations.
“We have been speaking to 1, 500 Form Fours and three students, beneficiaries of Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship programmes. We have 16 such conventions in the country since we have 10, 000 Form Fours and 10,000 Form Threes this year,” Mwangi said.
He said the essence of the meeting was to encourage, inspire and prepare the students ahead of the national examinations.
“This is a more of parental mentoring and coaching of our young stars. We have talked at length about the opportunities that they have. Those who get As and A minuses who join Equity Leadership Internship Program immediately start working at Equity Bank until they go to university, they earn Sh40,000 monthly,” Mwangi said.
He said such beneficiaries are linked with other opportunities as they work in Equity Bank outlets across the country.
They are also encouraged to apply for international scholarships.
Mwangi said they had 861 students in international universities.
He said Equity programs continue to give the students more opportunities after they are done with their studies.
