Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has renewed calls for the county’s main referral hospital to be upgraded to a Level 6 facility, arguing that the move would significantly improve access to specialized healthcare across Northern Kenya.
Speaking during a visit to Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital on Monday, Governor Jama said the elevation would open the door to increased national funding, attract specialist medical professionals and expand opportunities for training and research.
For many residents in the region, advanced medical care often means travelling hundreds of kilometres to major hospitals in other parts of the country. The governor said upgrading the facility would help ease that burden.
“The elevation would not only benefit the people of Garissa but also neighboring counties that rely on this hospital for specialized services,” Jama said.
He also welcomed the national government’s support for the ongoing upgrade of Balambala Sub-County Hospital to a Level 5 facility, describing it as an important step towards improving healthcare services closer to communities.
The push for Level 6 status has gained support from civil society groups in the county.
Muktar Dahir, coordinator of the Garissa County Human Rights Defenders Network, said the upgrade would strengthen emergency response systems and improve care for critical cases, including maternal and child health emergencies.
“As organisations committed to the well-being and development of our communities, we strongly support efforts aimed at improving healthcare services in Garissa and the wider North Eastern region,” Dahir said.
He noted that many families currently spend large sums of money seeking specialised treatment outside the county. Expanding advanced healthcare services locally, he said, would reduce travel costs and make treatment more accessible.
“We believe that upgrading Garissa County Referral Hospital to Level 6 status is a strategic investment that will improve access to quality healthcare and support regional development,” he added.
Hospitals seeking Level 6 status must undergo extensive assessments covering staffing levels, infrastructure, medical equipment, governance standards and quality of care. The evaluations are conducted in line with requirements set by the Ministry of Health and other regulatory bodies.
Kenya currently has six public Level 6 hospitals: Kenyatta National Hospital, Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Othaya Teaching and Referral Hospital.
If approved, Garissa would become the first Level 6 referral hospital in the North Eastern region, a development local leaders and healthcare advocates say could reshape access to specialised medical services for millions of people.
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