KENYA — AAR Hospital has appointed former KTN News Health and Science Editor Dr. Mercy Korir as its new Business Development Manager effective immediately.
Dr. Mercy Korir landed the new job just hours after tendering her resignation at the Mombasa Road-based media house.
In the new job, the University of Nairobi graduate will be expected to oversee the hospital’s external communication and brand positioning as well as the establishment of new streams for revenue.
“Specifically, she will be responsible for developing strategic business development, public relations, and corporate social responsibility plans for the hospital to attract potential clients and retain existing ones,” AAR hospital Chief Executive Officer Ken Muma said in a statement.
Dr. Korir leaves the Standard Media Group at a time when the entity has seen mass departures to other media houses.
Her new role will entail bringing her vast experience in the medical and communication sector to position AAR Hospital as the choice health provider for Kenyans.
Dr. Korir’s departure is undoubtedly a massive dent, having helped KTN News stand out, especially in authoritative coverage of health matters.
AAR Group is an East African holding company that owns and operates insurance units and primary care clinics, including the hospital in Kenya.
Hospitals are currently searching for new sources of competitive advantage and cost-cutting strategies everywhere they can, and declaring jobs redundant is one way of achieving this goal.
AAR Hospital recently announced plans for mass layoffs that will see tens of employees and other staff let go in a bid to reduce the cost of doing business as the hospital streamlines operations due to dwindling revenues.
“The intended redundancy is due to the fact that the volume of work at our facility has not grown as initially projected, and therefore the company cannot sustain the current workforce,” Muma explained.
AAR Healthcare (K) Limited is the largest provider of outpatient healthcare services in the East Africa region, running a network of 19 medical centers in Kenya.
The construction of the Sh2.5 billion (US$2 million) 140-bed hospital, which will provide both outpatient and inpatient services, began in 2017.
AAR began operations in Kenya in 1984, providing road and air medical evacuation services. After receiving an insurance license, the company expanded to Tanzania in 2007.
The company expanded to Tanzania in 2007, Uganda in 1994, and Kigali operations where it was unveiled in 2005.
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