HEALTHCARE SCENARIO OF NAIROBI

Nairobi, the capital and largest city of Kenya, serves as the nation’s political, economic, and cultural hub. As of the 2019 census, Nairobi’s population stood at 4,397,073, comprising 2,192,452 males, and 2,204,376 females, Religiously, Nairobi is predominantly Christian, with 88.85% of residents identifying as such. Nairobi is a significant economic powerhouse in Kenya, contributing over 20% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  The city is home to 32% of the country’s doctors, with a doctor-to-population ratio of 14 per 100,000 people, surpassing the national average of 10 per 100,000. While the city boasts significant economic contributions and a concentration of healthcare resources, it continues to grapple with challenges related to urbanization, healthcare disparities, and social inequality. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts from both governmental and private sectors to ensure sustainable development and improved quality of life for all residents.

HEALTHCARE INSIGHTS

1. Healthcare Facilities

• Total Number of Health Facilities: As of January 2023, Nairobi hosted 816 health facilities, distributed as follows:
  • Public Facilities: 135
  • Private, Faith-Based, and NGO-Owned Facilities: 681

This distribution indicates a significant reliance on private-sector healthcare providers within the city.

Source: africauncensored.online

2. Healthcare Workforce

• Public Health Workforce: The public healthcare sector in Nairobi employs approximately 4,756 health workers, including:
  • Clinical Officers: 454
  • Medical Officers and Specialists: 393

Despite this workforce, assessments have deemed the current staffing levels “highly inadequate,” failing to meet the city’s healthcare demands.

Source: africauncensored.online

3. Health Facility Density

• Primary Healthcare Facility Density: Nationally, Kenya has an average of 2.4 primary healthcare facilities per 10,000 population. Nairobi, being a densely populated urban center, contributes significantly to this statistic, with a substantial number of Level 2 and Level 3 facilities.

Source: health.go.ke

4. Health Expenditure

• Current Health Expenditure: In 2021, Kenya’s health expenditure was 4.55% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This figure reflects the national investment in healthcare services, encompassing both public and private spending.

Source: data.who.int

5. Recent Developments

• Health Facility Census 2023: In December 2023, the Ministry of Health released the Kenya Health Facility Census Report, providing comprehensive data on service availability and quality across the country. The findings from this census are intended to inform policy formulation and healthcare sector programming, aiming to enhance service delivery in Nairobi and beyond.

Source: health.go.ke

• World Bank Funding: In March 2024, Kenya secured $215 million from the World Bank to strengthen primary healthcare services and institutional capacity. This investment is poised to benefit urban centres like Nairobi by improving the quality and accessibility of primary healthcare services.

LIST OF MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS

 LIST OF HOSPITALS

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 DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES

1. Pathologists Lancet Kenya
2. Lancet Kenya
3. Aga Khan University Hospital – Diagnostic Centre
4. Nairobi X-Ray & Imaging Centre
5. Medi-Scan Diagnostics
6. The Nairobi Hospital – Diagnostic Centre
7. Coptic Hospital Diagnostic Centre
8. Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
9. AAR Healthcare Diagnostic Centre
10. Ridgeways Medical Centre Diagnostic Lab