Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has pledged a full upgrade of Moi County Referral Hospital in Taita Taveta. The facility is set to receive modern diagnostic and treatment tools under the National Equipment Services Program.
During an inspection tour on Thursday, Duale said the hospital has persistent gaps in critical services. “This hospital has served the people of Taita Taveta for years, but there are clear gaps that must be addressed. That begins now,” he said.
The government will supply the hospital with MRI machines, digital X-ray units, dialysis equipment, and new surgical theaters. Duale confirmed the rollout will begin soon, positioning the hospital to handle a wider range of medical cases.
He also highlighted the national push to digitize healthcare. Taita Taveta has already received 371 digital devices. The Ministry of Health has trained 206 local staff to operate them. These tools will support clinical services and improve how patient data is handled.
“We are digitizing our systems to make service delivery faster, safer, and more transparent,” Duale stated.
Duale warned public and private facilities against fraud under the Social Health Authority (SHA). He said over 1,000 illegal or non-compliant health centers had been closed after audits revealed malpractice, including services by unqualified personnel.
“The digital platform will now expose those abusing public trust in the health sector,” he added.
Addressing the broader staffing crisis in public hospitals, Duale said the government is committed to ending human resource conflicts. He described health workers as central to delivering universal health coverage.
The Cabinet Secretary toured the hospital alongside Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime, Deputy Governor Christine Saru, and Medical Superintendent Dr. Nestar Mwasaru. Other officials present included Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, and acting DHA CEO Anthony Lenaiyara.
The visit signals a broader health agenda focused on upgrading facilities, ending fraud, and addressing staff shortages all aimed at delivering better care across Kenya.
