Kericho hospital elevated to a level five facility

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua presents an upgrade certificate to Kericho Governor Erick Mutai for the elevation of the hospital to a level 5 facility. Looking on is Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumincha during a ceremony at Kapkatet Stadium on October 16, 2023. [Nikko Tanui, Standard]

Kericho County Hospital has been elevated to a Level 5 facility, signifying the hospital's remarkable progress in service delivery.

The upgrade of the facility is part of the benefits the county government has received from the national government as the host of the 60th Mashujaa Day celebrations scheduled for Kericho Green Stadium on Friday.

The upgrade to Level 5 status is expected to bring about substantial improvements in the quality of healthcare services.

Furthermore, the national government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has allocated Sh210 million to support the hospital's upgrade, with a particular focus on enhancing the facility's equipment.

The focus on the health sector in the county is intentional as the government plans to use the national celebration to launch Universal Health Care Coverage.

During the issuance of the upgrade certificate to Kericho Governor Erick Mutai for the newly elevated Kericho Level 5 hospital, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced an additional Sh50 million in funding for the facelift of the health facility.

On Monday, Gachagua also inaugurated a new ecology centre.

Earlier in the day, the DP officially opened an Intensive Care Unit at Kapkatet Hospital, which was funded by the national government.

Health CS Susan Nakhumincha said the elevation of the hospital couldn't have come at a better time, as it strategically neighbours the Walter Reed Project/Kenya Medical Research Institute. The CS also announced that the President was scheduled to sign into law four bills passed by the National Assembly.

"One of the bills will transform the National Hospital Insurance Fund into a social authority, and one of the benefits is that a low-income Kenyan who used to pay Sh500 monthly will now pay Sh300," she said.

Under the New Social Authority, Kenyans will receive comprehensive coverage, unlike under NHIF.