Kenyans suffering from heart-related conditions are set to benefit from a multi-million facility commissioned at the Kenyatta Teaching Research and Referral Hospital -KTRRH.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday, July 9, witnessed the groundbreaking of the World Health Organization, WHO, regional operations and logistics hub in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
The Head of State heaped praise on the project noting that it ushers new dawn in emergency response for Africa. Uhuru further expressed his gratitude to the WHO for deciding to set up the emergency center in Kenya.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom also graced the event alongside the organization’s regional director Dr. Matshidiso Moeti. The hub will sit on a 12 hectares piece of land adjacent to the KTRRH.
“I express gratitude to Dr. Tedros for the decision to establish a WHO Regional Emergency Hub in Africa and more so here in Nairobi. Every year we have over 1OO health emergencies occurring in the East, Central and Southern parts of Africa which along with the Covid pandemic pose serious health, social risks, and economic risks that threaten the progress our continent has made,” remarked Uhuru Kenyatta.
On his part, Dr. Tedros thanked President Uhuru and his government for sponsoring the construction of the hub. Tedros added that the emergency hub will seal gaps in emergency preparedness in Africa.
“ I want to express my gratitude and admiration to president Uhuru Kenyatta for sponsoring this hub. The government of Kenya has committed 12 hectares of land and 500 million dollars," remarked Tedross
The president also launched a catheterization laboratory at the referral hospital, which is the second of its kind in Kenya. This laboratory will help in diagnosing and treating patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
This facility was set up in response to health emergencies such as heart attacks. It will enable KTRRH to perform heart surgeries and cardio clinics, which is a reprieve for patients who previously relied on private hospitals or traveled abroad for treatment.
Statistics from the WHO indicate that cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death across the globe. According to the data, in 2020, Kenya reported 11,972 Coronary Heart Disease deaths, representing 4.5 percent of total deaths.
KTRRH Board Chairperson Prof Olive Mugenda stated that the facility will save over 1,200 Kenyans from traveling to India for scanning.
“With the opening of the cath lab, we are now in a position to address cardiac problems such as coronary heart disease and heart attacks,” Prof Mugeda remarked.
"There has been a misconception that the best healthcare services are only found in private hospitals or outside the country. This hospital has managed to put in place facilities that match if not surpass those that are found in the best hospitals around the world,” she added.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe also lauded the development giving credit to president Uhuru for his efforts to upgrade the health sector.
