Public hospitals receive 71 modern operating theatres

ABDI MOHAMED-MYGOV

Public hospitals across Kenya have received 71 modern operating theatres under the National Equipment Service Programme, significantly strengthening the country’s surgical capacity and improving access to quality healthcare services.

The installations, undertaken by Sunview Medipro International in partnership with the government, targeted Level 5 and Level 6 referral hospitals as well as selected sub-county hospitals, particularly those serving high-population areas and providing critical maternal healthcare services.

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the country’s largest referral hospital, received the biggest share in June 2026, with 15 fully equipped operating theatres.

Other major beneficiaries include Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (six theatres), Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret (five), Machakos Teaching and Referral Hospital (five), Kilifi County Referral Hospital (five), Wajir County Referral Hospital (two), Malindi County Referral Hospital (two), Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (one), and county hospitals in Siaya, Bungoma, Isiolo, Kisii and Meru, each receiving one theatre.

Hospitals providing essential maternal healthcare services were also prioritized to enhance emergency obstetric care and reduce delays in life-saving surgical interventions.

Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Nairobi’s Eastlands received two new theatres, while Kitengela SubCounty Hospital in Kajiado County received one.

Speaking during the installation at Kitengela Sub-County Hospital, Medical Superintendent Dr. Veronica Abuto described the new theatre as a major milestone for the facility, which serves patients from Kajiado, Machakos and Nairobi Counties.

She said the hospital records more than 500 deliveries every month, many of which require emergency surgical interventions, including caesarean sections. “All along we had one operating theatre in place.

With the new theatre, we are going to address the issues of maternal health, making sure that our mothers go back home healthy and with healthy babies,” Dr. Abuto said.

Beyond referral hospitals, Sunview Medipro International has also equipped several subcounty hospitals, some of which previously operated without any theatre facilities.

Beneficiary counties include Embu, Meru, Bungoma, Mombasa, Kisumu, Baringo, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kitui, Kisii, Tharaka Nithi, Narok, Kilifi and Kirinyaga.

The newly installed theatres are equipped with advanced surgical technology, including operating lights, operating tables, anaesthesia machines, patient monitors, syringe pumps, infusion pumps and other essential theatre accessories designed to support safe and efficient surgical procedures.

The installations form part of the National Equipment Service Program (NESP), which seeks to modernize healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialized medical services across the country.