Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital moved a step closer to national referral status on Wednesday after a public participation forum at the facility, part of a wider process that has been unfolding over the past several weeks.
The hospital session was the public face of work already under way of reviewing the planned elevation before a recommendation report is submitted to President William Ruto.
The meeting on Wednesday was the formal public hearing: residents were invited to give views on how the hospital should be run once it becomes a national government parastatal.
Board Chairman Bashir Gure Gedi, also known as Mzee Bishar Gure or Mzee BGG, said the hospital board had already approved the upgrade and the transfer of the facility to the national government four times.
The forum was organised jointly by the Ministry of Health and the hospital and continued into the afternoon.
To widen participation, Chief Executive Officer Mahat Sheikh Salah had written to the Garissa County Commissioner asking for chiefs, administrators and other local officers to be mobilised so that communities could be sensitised ahead of the hearing.
Public participation is meant to gather county residents’ feedback, opinions and preferences on governance and operations once the hospital shifts from county management to a national referral institution.
The facility was under the Ministry of Health before devolution. It later became a county teaching and referral hospital and is now the last of the former provincial general hospitals lined up for Level 6 status.
Mr Salah, who is currently in Egypt on a working trip, commended hospital staff, the administration, the Ministry of Health and the Office of the President for the progress that has positioned the institution for the upgrade.
Mr. Yunis Dekow, Chief of Communications at Garissa Referral Hospital, said in a statement shared with the media that the facility would serve as a teaching, specialist treatment and referral centre for Northern Kenya once elevated.
The hospital already serves patients from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Isiolo and parts of Marsabit, and also receives referrals from a wider catchment that includes Lamu and Kitui.
“The upgrade would bring advanced care closer to patients who have long travelled to Nairobi and other cities for specialised treatment,” the statement said.
President Ruto announced the planned elevation after meeting leaders from Northern Kenya at State House. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale later directed that preparations be fast-tracked following a meeting with Mr Salah at Afya House.
The elevation would unlock increased national government funding, additional specialists, advanced medical equipment, and greater capacity for training and research.
According to the CEO’s press office, the hospital has expanded significantly under Mr Salah’s leadership, growing from about five specialists to more than 50 and from fewer than 100 nurses to about 300.
The facility has also digitised services, installed endoscopy and laparoscopic equipment, strengthened security and reinvested internally generated revenue in wards, theatres and hospital grounds.
Level 6 status is expected to further expand critical care, emergency services, surgery, oncology, renal care, maternal and neonatal services, diagnostics, training and research.
“It will help cut costly and delayed referrals from pastoralist communities and the Dadaab refugee complex,” the statement said.
The hospital currently handles a heavy patient load, recording about 10,600 new outpatient visits and 1,070 admissions each month, alongside high bed occupancy.
The upgrade is also expected to increase demand for doctors, nurses, staff housing, transport and supporting businesses in Garissa town.
After public views and the environmental and social impact assessment are considered, remaining official processes — including gazettement — must still be completed before the elevation is formalised. President Ruto is expected to oversee the formal announcement.
Kenya currently has six public Level 6 hospitals, including Kenyatta National Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
