Nairobi expands newborn, ICU and renal care services

Sakaja said the expansion has increased the capacity of county health facilities to handle complicated deliveries, premature and critically ill newborns and other cases requiring specialised care.

“Over the last four years, we have added 224 newborn units, 23 neonatal ICUs and 20 adult ICUs across Nairobi,” Sakaja said.

He cited Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital and Mbagathi Hospital among facilities that have received additional neonatal intensive-care capacity.

According to Sakaja, county facilities previously had limited or no ICU capacity, with the latest investments aimed at expanding access to critical care within public hospitals.

The county has also expanded maternity services, including the construction and equipping of maternity theatres and the introduction of Caesarean-section services at several facilities.

At Mathare North Health Centre, 65 Caesarean sections have been performed since November, Sakaja said, while similar maternity services have been expanded at Riruta, Pumwani-Malenga, Kasarani and Ruai facilities.

The county is also expanding renal care, with Sakaja saying the renal unit at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital treated 113 patients in August.

He said renal services at the facility are covered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), allowing eligible patients to access treatment through the public health system.

The expansion comes as Nairobi seeks to increase the range of specialised services available at county facilities, including critical care, neonatal services, maternity procedures and treatment for chronic conditions such as kidney disease.

The county government says the investments are intended to reduce the need for patients to seek specialised treatment outside county facilities, potentially lowering travel and treatment costs.