Claire Dawson
Kenya has a total of 12,375 public and private hospitals, with 57 public hospitals and 103 private hospitals. The hospitals are classified into three levels, with Level 6 hospitals being national referral hospitals and large private teaching/mission hospitals, Level 5 hospitals being county referral hospitals, and Level 4 hospitals being sub-county hospitals. The number of hospitals varies across the country, with Nairobi County having the highest number at 62. Kenya's healthcare system faces challenges, with disparities in wealth impacting access to quality healthcare, and a recent report finding key services missing in many hospitals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of public hospitals | 57 |
| Number of national referral hospitals | 7 |
| Number of county referral hospitals | 47 |
| Number of sub-county hospitals | 2 |
| Number of private hospitals | 103 |
| Number of mission hospitals | 58 |
| Number of NGO hospitals | 12 |
| Number of health facilities | 5,000 |
| Number of national hospitals | 5 |
| Number of hospitals with ICU services | 25 |
| Number of hospitals with HDU services | 28 |
| Number of hospitals with critical care services | 381 |
| Number of hospitals with inpatient services for oncology and psychiatry | 4% |
| Number of hospitals with pharmacy services | 57% |
| Number of hospitals with reliable power and water source | >80% |
| Number of hospitals with power backup systems | 90% |
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What You'll Learn
There are 57 public hospitals in Kenya
Kenya's hospitals are classified using a six-tier system, which was implemented in 2010. This system is based on the services offered and the number of people served, rather than the quality of the hospital. Level 1 hospitals are community health services, which include community units (CHUs) and primary care services such as dispensaries, health centres, and maternity homes. Level 2 involves more comprehensive primary care, with services including basic skin treatments and simple malaria care. Level 3 hospitals are county referral services, which include district hospitals and can serve populations of up to 80,000 people. Level 4 hospitals are sub-county hospitals, which provide medium-level care. Level 5 hospitals are the most major county hospitals, located in the provincial headquarters. Finally, Level 6 hospitals are national referral hospitals, which provide the highest level of care.
The range of services provided by public hospitals in Kenya includes preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative treatments. Preventive services include routine childhood immunisations and environmental activities to control mosquito breeding, which reduces the transmission of malaria. Promotive services often take the form of educational programmes that promote healthy lifestyles. Curative and rehabilitative services include all treatment activities available at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Despite the number of hospitals in Kenya, the country's healthcare infrastructure has been described as lacking. Many government-run hospitals are not up to international standards in terms of training, equipment, and hygiene. There is also a disparity in healthcare availability between major metropolitan areas and large cities, where excellent medical care is available, and rural areas, where there may be little to no access to quality care.
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Nairobi County has the most hospitals
Kenya has a total of 12,375 public and private hospitals, with 57 public hospitals, including seven national referral hospitals, 47 county referral hospitals, and two sub-county hospitals. There are 103 private hospitals, 58 mission hospitals, and 12 NGO hospitals. The levels of medical services in these hospitals are assessed by the Ministry of Medical Services and the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation. Notably, Nairobi County boasts the highest number of hospitals, with 62 hospitals.
Nairobi County, the epicenter of healthcare in Kenya, boasts an impressive 62 hospitals, catering to the medical needs of its residents and those from surrounding areas. The concentration of hospitals in Nairobi reflects the county's importance as a healthcare hub in the country. Among these hospitals are notable institutions such as the Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, which was established in 1904 as a smallpox isolation center and later served as a psychiatric facility.
The hospitals in Nairobi County encompass a range of levels within the healthcare system. Some hospitals are classified as Level 1 Community Health Services, providing community-based demand creation activities and identifying cases requiring higher levels of care. Others fall under Level 2 Primary Care Services, including dispensaries, health centers, and maternity homes. Nairobi also has its share of Level 3 County Referral Services, with hospitals managed by the county offering specialized care such as life support and surgeries.
The county hospitals in Nairobi act as a crucial step up from district and sub-district hospitals, providing advanced medical services. Additionally, the presence of private hospitals in the area, primarily focused on Nairobi and Mombasa, offers alternative healthcare options for those seeking specific treatments or preferences. The county hospitals in Nairobi are not just regional centers but also play a supervisory role, overseeing district hospitals, and ensuring the proper referral of patients to receive the care they need.
While Nairobi County takes the lead in the number of hospitals, it is worth noting that Kenya's healthcare system faces challenges. Disparities in wealth result in varying levels of healthcare access across the country. Rural areas may struggle with limited access to quality care, and many government-run hospitals fall short of international standards in training, equipment, and hygiene. Despite these challenges, Nairobi County's high number of hospitals contribute significantly to the country's overall healthcare landscape, catering to a diverse range of medical needs.
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Kenya has 47 counties, each with at least one county referral hospital
Kenya has a six-tier hospital classification system, with Level 1 being community health services and Level 6 being national hospitals. There are 57 public hospitals in Kenya, including seven national referral hospitals, 47 county referral hospitals, and two sub-county hospitals. This means that each of Kenya's 47 counties has at least one county referral hospital.
County referral hospitals are regional centres that provide specialised care, including intensive care, life support, and specialist consultations. They act as the next step up from district and sub-district hospitals. In addition to the public hospitals, there are 103 private hospitals, 58 mission hospitals, and 12 NGO hospitals in Kenya.
The levels of medical services in these hospitals are assessed by the Ministry of Medical Services and the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation. The same evaluation system is used for all public, private, mission, and NGO-type health facilities. The largest number of hospitals are in Nairobi County, with 62 hospitals.
The majority of Kenya's population receives healthcare services from the public sector. The range of services includes preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative treatments. To access treatment in these hospitals, membership in the National Hospital Insurance Fund is compulsory for all salaried employees, with voluntary membership available for those who are self-employed.
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Kenya's wealth disparity is reflected in its healthcare system
Kenya has a total of 229 hospitals, including 57 public hospitals, 103 private hospitals, 58 mission hospitals, and 12 NGO hospitals. The hospitals are classified into three levels, with Level 6 hospitals being the highest and Level 4 hospitals being the lowest. Despite having a significant number of hospitals, Kenya's wealth disparity is reflected in its healthcare system.
Kenya has been experiencing persistently high levels of socio-economic inequality, which has resulted in unequal access to healthcare services. This disparity is evident in the concentration of healthcare professionals, facilities, and resources in urban areas, such as Nairobi and Kiambu, while rural areas like Mandera and Wajir have significantly fewer resources. The country's doctor-to-patient ratio is 1:5,725, far above the WHO-recommended ratio of 1:1,000, indicating an insufficient number of doctors to meet the population's needs.
The wealth gap in Kenya is widening, with a small minority of super-rich individuals accumulating wealth and income, while the benefits of economic growth are not reaching the poorest. This disparity is reflected in access to quality healthcare, with major cities and metropolitan areas offering excellent medical care, while rural areas often lack adequate healthcare services. Many government-run hospitals in these areas do not meet international standards in terms of training, equipment, and hygiene.
To address this issue, Kenya introduced a universal health coverage scheme in 2018, which was piloted in four counties before its planned national rollout. Additionally, multi-sectoral approaches are necessary to tackle the key drivers of inequality, including persistent poverty, disparities in living standards and educational achievement, and regional differences in the availability and accessibility of healthcare.
The inequality in Kenya's healthcare system has life-and-death consequences for many poor Kenyans. For example, mothers in the country face a 1 in 40 chance of dying in childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for equitable access to healthcare services. While the government has made efforts to improve equity and accessibility, addressing the underlying wealth disparity is crucial to ensuring fair and inclusive access to healthcare for all Kenyans.
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Kenya's hospitals are classified on a six-tier system
Level 1: Community Health Units (CHUs)
CHUs are health service structures assigned to a specific geographical area and facility. They are headed by certified medical clinical officers and provide communities with preventive healthcare, basic sanitation services, vaccination, childcare, first aid, and health education.
Level 2: Dispensaries
Dispensaries are typically staffed by nurses and offer basic care for minor ailments such as skin conditions or simple malaria. They serve as the initial point of contact with the government-run healthcare system, referring more serious cases to district and sub-district hospitals.
Level 3: Health Centers
Health centers can cater to a large population of up to 80,000 individuals, offering extensive primary care and an array of services. They play a crucial role in providing accessible healthcare to a significant number of people.
Level 4: District Hospitals
District hospitals are located within a district or county and provide comprehensive medical services, including surgical capabilities. They serve as the primary referral hospitals, offering holistic care and specialized services to their patients.
Level 5: County Referral Hospitals
County referral hospitals, previously known as provincial hospitals, are the major hospitals within the county system. They collaborate with teaching and referral hospitals and work alongside large private and faith-based hospitals. These hospitals have a capacity of over 100 beds for inpatient care and are managed by Chief Executive Officers who are medical professionals.
Level 6: National Hospitals
National hospitals are the pinnacle of the healthcare system, offering specialized treatments not only to Kenyans but also to patients from East and Central Africa. There are two types within this level: Level 6a includes national teaching and referral hospitals that serve as educational centers for medical professionals, while Level 6b comprises hospitals that provide highly specialized services.
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Frequently asked questions
Kenya has 12,375 public and private hospitals. There are 57 public hospitals, including seven national referral hospitals, 47 county referral hospitals, and two sub-county hospitals. There are 103 private hospitals, 58 mission hospitals, and 12 NGO hospitals.
Hospitals in Kenya are classified on a six-tier system, which was put in place in 2010. The six levels are:
- Level 1: Community health services
- Level 2: Primary care services
- Level 3: County referral services
- Level 4: District Hospitals
- Level 5: Provincial Hospitals
- Level 6: National Hospitals
The quality of hospitals in Kenya varies greatly. While major metropolitan areas and large cities have access to excellent medical care, rural areas may have little or no access to quality healthcare. Many government-run hospitals are not up to international standards in terms of training, equipment, and hygiene. However, it is worth noting that the majority of Kenya's population receives healthcare services from the public sector.
