KENYA – AAR Hospital has been officially commissioned by the President of Kenya William Ruto.
The 140-bed state-of-the-art facility which began its operations in 2021 was constructed at a cost of KSh3.5 billion (US$27.87m) through the support of various partners which include the World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation, International Fund for Health in Africa and Swedfund.
The president lauded the investors behind the modern facility, saying the hospital represents a monumental investment by the AAR Group and is “an important signal that Kenya is roaring into action in terms of attracting the calibre of investment that will quickly turn our healthcare sector around and propel us to the leading pack of globally competitive medical services destinations.”
President Ruto reiterated his government’s commitment to the bottom-up economic model that propelled his election into office.
“The people’s fundamental right to healthcare constitute a vital component of our governing mandate and it is important to use such an opportunity as this to emphasise it.”
Additionally, said the president, universal healthcare makes medical treatment a public good and a means of increasing the disposable income available to Kenyan households.
“By drastically minimising expenditures on health needs, Kenyans will have more savings to invest in goods that enhance wellbeing and grow their wealth. This is how a thriving economy is built sustainably from the bottom going up.”
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Peter Tum represented the Minister for Health, Susan Nakhumicha, at the function. Others present included the governors of Nairobi and Kiambu Counties, Johnstone Sakaja and Kimani Wamatangi, respectively.
Also present was the Swedish ambassador to Kenya, Caroline Vicini, and members of the board of AAR Group.
The president was conducted on a tour of the facility by the hospital’s board members led by its Group CEO Steve Okeyo.
Addressing the gathering, Okeyo said the new hospital started receiving patients on 19th July, 2021.
“We are committed to putting up additional modern hospitals and clinics in various parts of the country and throughout East Africa in the coming years,” he said.
“The hospital currently serves 200 patients a day and employs 180 people. At full capacity, we aim to serve more than 400 patients a day and to have more than 300 members of staff.”
The new hospital, Okeyo added, was built with funds from various donor institutions. “It is a testimony of the great heights that can be achieved where there is goodwill, a conducive environment for investors, and fruitful collaboration with development partners.”
The function was attended by hundreds of health professionals, representatives of donor agencies and collaborating institutions, ministry staff, and other senior government officials.
The hospital has four operating theatres and boasts a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It also has a nine-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU) and a modern neonatal ICU.
AAR Hospital also provides genetic counselling and support for would-be parents who want to assess the risk of passing an inherited condition such as sickle cell to their children.
The facility is managed through Hospital Holdings Investment (HHI).
AAR Group was started by its founders Bengt Beckmann and his wife Maryjka as Africa Air Rescue Company.
From a small business with a speciality in the evacuation of medical and accident casualties, both by road and air, AAR is now the leading private healthcare firm in East Africa priding itself with over 100,000 people in membership.
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