Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital (GCTRH) has increased its monthly revenue from about Sh3–4 million to more than Sh50 million following sweeping financial management reforms, Chief Executive Officer Mahat Sheikh Salah has said.
Mr. Mahat Salah attributed the growth to the introduction of an automated financial management system, elimination of cash payments, tighter accountability measures and improved security.
“When I joined the hospital as Chief Administrative Officer two years ago, we found that revenue collection was far below its potential. Most payments were made manually in cash, creating loopholes and leakages,” he said.
Upon assuming office as CEO, Salah said the hospital introduced an automated revenue collection system supplied by KCB after benchmarking with Machakos and Makueni Level 5 hospitals.
The hospital also trained revenue staff to use the new system, installed CCTV cameras across departments to enhance accountability and replaced private security personnel with officers from the National Youth Service (NYS) under a memorandum of understanding.
According to the CEO, the reforms led to a sharp rise in collections within six months, with monthly revenue increasing from about Sh3–4 million to nearly Sh12 million before continuing to grow.
He said the hospital now generates more than Sh50 million every month, comprising Sh35–40 million in reimbursements from the Social Health Authority (SHA) and Sh12–15 million in internally generated revenue.
Salah praised the restoration of the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF), saying it has enabled hospitals to retain and reinvest their revenue to improve healthcare services.
He noted that the increased revenue has financed major upgrades across the facility, including construction of modern wards, renovation of the referral unit and administration block, improvement of walkways, drainage and sewerage systems, and beautification projects such as the hospital’s fountain and landscaped roundabout.
“Everything you see today—from the new wards and renovated departments to the improved environment—has been made possible through the Facility Improvement Fund,” Salah said.
He added that the hospital remains committed to strengthening financial accountability and investing in quality healthcare services for residents of Garissa County and neighbouring regions.
