Help Us Reverse Trend of Overseas Treatment for Kenyans, Ruto Says

President William Ruto has called for change in the current situation where thousands of Kenyans travel abroad for medical attention. 

Speaking at State House on Monday when he met the Nairobi Hospital's Board of Management, the Head of State said that the move leads to a considerable outflow of foreign exchange from the country, as well as affecting the financial standing of the families of those travelling. Ruto asked the hospital to take the lead in reversing this trend by introducing modern equipment. 

“Every year, thousands of Kenyans travel abroad seeking treatment for various ailments. The Nairobi Hospital should take deliberate steps to support the government in reversing this trend by acquiring state-of-the-art technology,” he said. 

Statistics from the Ministry of Health show that Kenyans spend over Sh15 billion annually on overseas treatment for oncology, heart disease, and organ transplants. The President affirmed his government's support for the Global Fund's partnership with the hospital, which aims to convert the 135-bed Covid-19 treatment centre in 2020 into a facility for other medical treatments that will benefit Kenyans and foreigners alike. The hospital's board chairman Irung'u Ndirangu confirmed that they have already installed a top-of-the-line Biplane Cath Lab machine for cardio, neuro, and vascular services, which is the first of its kind in East and Central Africa.

“As a premier healthcare facility in this region, we have invested significantly in improving our capacity in efforts to provide world-class treatment and service,” Ndirangu told the president.

The president agreed to be the Hospital's patron, a post traditionally held by the President of Kenya as stated in the hospital's Memorandum and Articles of Association. Ruto asked the hospital to upgrade the facilities at the hospital by obtaining modern medical technology.