Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital could see increased opportunities for local professionals if the facility is elevated to a Level 6 national teaching and referral hospital, CEO Mahat Sheikh Salah has said.
Speaking during a public participation forum on the proposed elevation and transfer of the facility to the national government on Thursday, Mahat Salah said 80 per cent of job opportunities would be considered for professionals from Garissa.
The forum, coordinated by the Ministry of Health, brought together residents and stakeholders to give their views on the proposed transformation of the hospital into a national government parastatal.
Mr. Salah said the move would not only bring specialised healthcare closer to residents of Northern Kenya but also create opportunities for local professionals to work in the expanded facility.
The proposed Level 6 hospita will serve patients from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Isiolo and parts of Marsabit, with referrals also coming from areas of Lamu and Kitui.
Residents gave their views on how the hospital should be governed and managed once transferred to the national government.
The elevation is part of a multi-agency process expected to culminate in a recommendation to President William Ruto on the proposed upgrade.
The hospital, which was previously under the Ministry of Health before devolution, is the last of the former provincial general hospitals considered for elevation to Level 6 status.
The proposed transformation is aimed at strengthening access to specialist treatment, teaching and referral services in Northern Kenya, reducing the need for patients to travel to Nairobi and other regions for specialised care.
