PHOTOS: Inside the new Kenyatta University Hospital

The Kenyatta University Hospital was officially opened on Monday.

The teaching, referral and research facility has a 650-bed capacity and is expected to admit its first patients this week.

However, the hospital will have 150 beds operating in the initial stage and specializing in cancer treatment and renal healthcare.

Health CS Sicily Kariuki inspected the hospital last week accompanied by the hospital board chair Prof Olive Migunda and CEO Dr. Andrew Toro.

The CS said the hospital will be 100 per cent referral with 40 doctors and more than 100 other medical staff on call.

“We are sensitizing the surrounding community that this will not be a walk in and walk out facility ,” she said.

She note that the facility was established under the Ministry of Health through a gazette notice, despite it being hosted by Kenyatta University.

On her part, Prof Mugenda regretted the delay in opening the hospital which was scheduled to have admitted patients in August.

“We regret the delay which was inevitable as we had to test the equipment and hire members of staff,” she said.

The hospital will provide emergency, cardiology, laboratory, gynecology services and oncology services.

Other services include pediatric, surgical and funeral home services.

Additional report from Gitau Wanyoike