Kenya is on the verge of completing construction of a kidney transplant and dialysis centre in Nairobi, an institution set to relieve Kenyans the burden of seeking kidney treatment abroad.

Medical tourism has emerged as one of the pursuits of the East African nation as a key plank of economic growth.

The world class four-storey East Africa Centre of Excellence in Nephrology and Urology (EAKI) facility, which is adjacent to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in the capital Nairobi, will focus on kidney transplant surgery, dialysis, training and research.

Briefing a team from the National Government Development, Regional Implementation Coordination and Management Committee (NGD-RICMC) led by Nairobi Regional Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo, who had toured the facility to inspect on-going works, Project Manager Hossan Ajuk said the Level Six-B facility is expected to be complete by end of November this year.

Dr Ajuk said the facility is among seven centres of excellence in the East Africa Community that are distributed in various countries to deal with non-communicable diseases that are a becoming challenge in the region.

“This institution will serve Kenyans and clients from the whole of the East Africa Community. The management will ensure that patients are not neglected and staff responds to patients very fast,” he said.

Other East African countries that have opted to have centres of excellence health facilities are Tanzania who have opted set up a heart centre, Uganda a cancer centre, Rwanda will have two centres, namely for vaccine and medical science, while Burundi opted for a nutrition centre.

South Sudan, meanwhile has resolved to set up a regional centre of excellence in climate change mitigation. This initiative is driven by the East African Community.

The kidney facility, whose construction works is currently at 99 per cent complete will have amenity wards, nine high dependency unit (HDU) beds and 10 intensive care units (ICU) beds, a paediatric wing, four modern theatres and a section for dialysis.

“The contractor has already completed the basement, first and second floors, machines for theatre, dialysis, HDU and ICU are already installed. The only works remaining is on the 3rd and 4th floors, which are expected to commence soon,” he assured members of the committee.

Dr Ajuk said the government chose to have a kidney facility to relieve Kenyans the burden of seeking treatment abroad which is costly compared to doing it in the country.

Ajuk, an officer from the ministry of health, division of infrastructure project and grants, said the facility is looking forward to perform at least 100 transplants per year, adding that the institution will commence its operations immediately the facility recruits the needed staff.

“The ministry has already trained a total of 444 health workers who will work in this facility,” he added.

Dr Ajuk said besides focusing on quality treatment, the institution will also accept patients seeking treatment using Social Health Authority Insurance cover.

The Phase One Level Six project was started at Kenyatta National Hospital and serves 20 patients per day, has to date done 250 transplants.

“The government has modernized dialysis at Kenyatta National Hospital, earlier they used to send tissues in South Africa, but now a laboratory has been established at the hospital,” he said.

Dr Ajuk also told the committee that the government also has plans of constructing regional kidney facilities across the country, adding that their locations will be informed by data. 

The RICMC team also visited the Talanta Sports Centre, a government-funded project on Ngong Road which is expected to host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament 2027. 

The stadium, which has a capacity of 60,000 is expected to be complete by December this year in readiness for the tournament.

Col Robert Mutuku, who welcomed the team at the facility said the main stadium will have five level terraces with a height of 56 metres and adjacent three football training pitches with changing rooms to support the main stadium and a parking for 3,400 vehicles.

Speaking at the two facilities RC Kitiyo commended Kenya Defence Forces who are in-charge of the Talanta Sports facility and Dr Ajuk for the commendable work they are doing and urged them to ensure the projects are completed in the stipulated time.

He also asked them to consider using the local communities for manpower whenever need arises so that they can feel that they are part of the projects.

“I also call upon public servants whose ministries are involved in the projects to discharge their responsibilities effectively for the success and quick completion of the projects,” he directed.

Acting Head of Government Delivery Unit, Sitati Olando said Talanta Sports Centre is a good historical site and heritage for the country’s men and women and the future generation.

He also called on the project managers to liaise with the RICMC committee and the Government Delivery Unit whenever they experience challenges that can delay the completion of the projects.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Bernadette Khaduli