NAIROBI — Kenya has officially launched East Africa’s first AI-powered 256-slice CT scanner at The Nairobi Hospital, marking a major step forward in advanced medical imaging and expanded access to specialized care.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale led the commissioning on Saturday, calling the move “a symbol of Kenya’s determination to modernize diagnostic medicine and improve health outcomes.” The scanner is now the most advanced of its kind in the region.
According to Duale, the technology delivers high-speed, low-radiation, high-precision scans across multiple specialties. “This machine will strengthen care in cardiology, trauma, pediatrics, neurology, oncology, and orthopedics. It will help save lives by giving doctors timely and accurate information,” he said.
The launch coincided with the signing of a healthcare agreement between the Ministry of Health and The Nairobi Hospital under the Social Health Authority (SHA). The collaboration aims to provide low-cost treatment for patients with cancer and kidney disease who are financially vulnerable.
Under the agreement, The Nairobi Hospital will offer fully subsidized services such as intra-cavitary brachytherapy, radio-iodine therapy, and CT planning. The facility will also provide conformal radiotherapy at reduced costs for eligible patients.
In renal care, the hospital has committed to covering the full cost of dialysis and offering subsidized kidney transplants, including pre- and post-surgery care. Eligibility for these services will be based on SHA’s Means Testing Instrument.
“This partnership proves that public and private sectors can work together to reduce the burden of disease. Many SHA beneficiaries face financial hardship. They now have a clear path to quality care,” said Duale.
The Health Ministry’s move comes amid rising concerns about the cost of chronic disease treatment. Over 11,000 Kenyans traveled abroad in 2024 for medical care, costing the country nearly KSh 14.7 billion, according to ministry data.
“We can no longer afford to outsource care,” Duale stated. “We have the tools. We must make them available at home.”
Duale also addressed tensions in the public health sector, noting that the government’s 2025/26 budget includes funding to pay outstanding salaries and fulfill return-to-work agreements. He urged health workers and union leaders to resolve disputes through dialogue.
The AI scanner is already operational, and patients have begun accessing services at The Nairobi Hospital. Ministry officials say more announcements will follow as the SHA rollout expands to include other high-need services.
