Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale/HANDOUT
Health CS Aden Duale on Wednesday convened a consultative meeting with the Social Health Authority (SHA) as part of efforts to enhance emergency healthcare services.
The aim of the meeting was to evaluate readiness for the rollout of Emergency Evacuation Services and the launch of the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre.
The meeting was attended by SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, and Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council CEO David Kariuki.
"We reviewed progress on infrastructure, ICT systems, ambulance onboarding, staffing, communications and launch readiness, including the proposed SHA 112 Lifeline, which will serve as the country's trusted and recognisable national emergency-response service,” Duale said.
The Dispatch Centre is nearing completion with systems installed and operational testing underway, while 40 trained dispatch personnel are ready to support call-centre operations.
According to SHA, ambulance empanelment is progressing, with 107 ambulances already meeting required standards.
The meeting also endorsed a nationwide public awareness campaign through media, community engagement, NGAO forums, social media, healthcare providers and county stakeholders to promote uptake of the service.
“I noted the significant progress made and emphasised the need to finalise ICT integration, ambulance empanelment and operational testing ahead of launch,” Duale said.
Once operational, the Social Health Authority (SHA) says the service will strengthen emergency response coordination and improve access to timely and specialised healthcare across Kenya.
The initiative forms part of Kenya’s broader Universal Health Coverage agenda aimed at ensuring that emergency medical services are accessible, coordinated, and responsive.
Officials highlighted that the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre will centralise emergency calls, reduce response times, and link patients to the nearest available and equipped ambulance service providers across counties.
Stakeholders further agreed on intensified public sensitisation efforts involving community health promoters, media briefings, and collaboration with county governments to ensure smooth adoption of the SHA 112 Lifeline and related emergency services upon launch nationwide.
Health CS Aden Duale in a consultative meeting with officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA) on June 24, 2026/HANDOUT
