Sh3b kidney centre to be built at KNH
A Sh3.8 billion centre for the treatment of kidney ailments is to be constructed at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.
The centre will be constructed through the East African Community by funding provided by the African Development Bank (ADB), Health Principal Secretary Prof Fred Segor said on Monday.
“ADB, through the EAC, is funding the establishment of four Centres of Excellence (COE) in the East Africa region.
“In Kenya, the COE is in the area of Urology and Nephrology–and will be known as East Africa Kidney Institute which will be constructed at KNH,” he said.
“The ADB is already on the ground this week, carrying out an appraisal for the project,” said Prof Segor, who was presiding at the launch of the Kidney Transplant and Kidney Awareness campaign said.
Apart from treating kidney ailments in Kenya and the region, the centre will train surgeons (urologists), nephrologists and specialist nurses, bridge the existing training gaps on non-communicable diseases as well as transfer skills to other lower level hospitals in the counties.
Currently, Kenya has only 32 kidney specialists, the Principal Secretary said.
During the ceremony, Prof Segor urged people to turn up for free kidney screening exercise which is currently taking place at the hospital and Uhuru Park as a prelude to the World Kidney Day which will be marked on Thursday this week.