BALAMBALA HOSPITAL SET FOR MAJOR HEALTHCARE REVOLUTION AS CS DUALE CONFIRMS LEVEL 5 UPGRADE.

150-bed facility nearing completion to expand access to specialized medical services and reduce referrals outside Garissa County.

BALAMBALA, GARISSA COUNTY – The ongoing construction of the Balambala Sub-County Hospital is set to usher in a new era of healthcare delivery in Garissa County and the wider Northeastern region after the national government confirmed plans to upgrade the facility into a Level 5 hospital upon completion.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale on Tuesday inspected the progress of the multi-million healthcare project in Balambala Sub-County, expressing satisfaction with the pace of construction.

The hospital, which is currently 70 per cent complete, will have a 150-bed capacity and is expected to significantly improve access to quality healthcare services for residents who have traditionally travelled long distances in search of specialized treatment.

During the inspection tour, CS Duale confirmed that the facility will be elevated to a Level 5 hospital, positioning it as a key referral centre capable of providing advanced medical services within Garissa County.

“The upgrade will significantly improve access to advanced healthcare services and reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the county,” said Duale.

Once operational, the hospital will offer a wide range of specialized services, including advanced outpatient and inpatient care, surgical procedures, maternity and newborn services, as well as improved diagnostic facilities.

The Health CS said the completion of the project will mark a major milestone in strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the region and contribute towards the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

He reiterated the national government’s commitment to expanding equitable healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, through strategic investments aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

CS Duale further disclosed that the facility will be officially commissioned by President William Ruto once construction works are fully completed.

He challenged the contractor to maintain high construction standards and adhere to the agreed timelines to ensure the hospital is delivered on schedule for public use.

The inspection visit was attended by Garissa County Executive Committee Member for Health Ahmednadhir Omar, senior government officials, and local leaders.

The Balambala Sub-County Hospital is expected to become one of the region’s most important healthcare facilities, strengthening medical services and bringing specialized care closer to communities across Northeastern Kenya.

For decades, residents of Balambala and the surrounding sub-counties have faced one of the starkest healthcare access deficits in Kenya, regularly travelling to Garissa town or even Nairobi for medical attention that should be available closer to home. The Level 5 upgrade promises to change that reality.– he said