Dental services at Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital continue to play a critical role in meeting the oral healthcare needs of residents across Garissa County and the wider North Eastern region.
The hospital’s dental unit has for years been providing essential services, including routine dental check-ups, tooth extractions, fillings, scaling and polishing, treatment of dental infections and emergency dental care.
The services form part of the hospital’s core healthcare offering and have helped reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the county.
The Chief of Executive Officer, Mr. Mahat Salah said the dental unit remains a key component in the healthcare system.
Mr. Mahat Salah said the facility is uniquely equipped with critical services that are not available elsewhere in the region.
These include the eye unit, obstetric care, CT and MRI imaging, renal services, oncology, intensive care, rehabilitation, diagnostic services, psychiatry, surgery, nutrition, and pharmacy, positioning the hospital as a comprehensive referral centre for North Eastern Kenya.
The facility remains the region’s primary centre for specialized care, receiving complicated cases referred from other facilities where procedures such as dental surgery and cosmetic practices, including the emerging trend of wearing bracelets, have gone wrong. The hospital’s wide pool of skilled health professionals enables it to manage such cases alongside other complex medical conditions.
The CEO revielied that patient numbers at the clinic have remained steady.
He attributed the growth to more public awareness and willing ealth actors and the public.
Mr. Mahat said many patients from across the region seek early treatment, helping to prevent complications that can arise from untreated dental conditions.
The dental department is run by trained dental officers and support staff who work closely with other clinical units within the hospital to provide integrated care.
Patients requiring advanced and specialised procedures from across the region are to referred to the public facility.
Mr. Mohamed Suleiman, an out patient expressed satisfaction with the services at the facility calling on President William Ruto to visit the centre for benchmark marking on the journey to transforming Kenya to Singapore.
He cited professionalism and accessibility as key strengths of the institution coupled with consistent service delivery for the people of Nothern Kenya.
President William Ruto has often spoken about his vision of making Kenya the “Singapore of Africa,” focusing on disciplined governance, a strong economy, and efficient public services.
He has emphasized fiscal responsibility, investment, and a business-friendly environment as key drivers of growth and development.
