The government has unveiled plans to assume control of Gatundu Level Five Hospital and enhance it into a referral facility to improve healthcare services. Susan Nakhumicha, the Health Cabinet Secretary, stated that the ministry will cooperate with the Kiambu County government to expedite the process.
This upgrade will elevate the hospital to the ranks of esteemed healthcare institutions in the country, such as Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mwai Kibaki Hospital (KNH) in Othaya, and Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH).
Nakhumicha highlighted that since 2015, Gatundu Level Five Hospital has had a collaborative agreement with KUTRRH under a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Health and the Kiambu county government. She emphasized that the hospital will now be managed by the national government and announced that public involvement will be sought from the residents of Gatundu to approve the transfer.
The collaboration between KUTRRH and Gatundu Level Five Hospital has primarily focused on healthcare service provision, referral systems, infrastructural enhancement, equipment modernization, shared healthcare personnel, and the development of health-related technologies.
Nakhumicha made these remarks during the official launch of the Partnership for Education of Health Professionals (PEP), a joint initiative between the national government and the Danish Novo Nordisk Foundation, held at the hospital. She was accompanied by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muriuki, Danish Ambassador Stephan Schonemann, Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe, and Novo Nordisk Foundation head Lars Rabien.
Kuria expressed that the takeover is long overdue and will restore order and improve services at the hospital. He lamented the financial losses incurred due to management disputes between Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s administration and the national government, which resulted in the loss of Sh500 million in grants meant for service enhancement.
Kuria revealed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s vision for the hospital’s infrastructure upgrade aimed to establish it as a specialized healthcare referral center for Kenyans and the region.
Kagombe highlighted the existence of vital medical equipment such as a 12-bed ICU unit, CT scan, X-ray equipment, and a Renal Unit, which have remained inactive due to the management deadlock. He urged Governor Wamatangi to facilitate a smooth transition of hospital management to ensure uninterrupted service delivery to the public.
