Press Release: Kenyan Ministry of Health Selects GE as a Strategic Partner to Support Healthcare Modernization Program

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

As part of a wide-scale healthcare transformation program, one of the largest of its kind in Africa, the Kenyan Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced GE Healthcare as a key strategic technology and solutions partner, following the conclusion of an open tender process.

The announcement of GE Healthcare’s selection was made in Nairobi at a State House signing ceremony presided over by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, Hon. James Macharia, Cabinet Secretary for Health, on Friday 6th February 2015. The program covers radiology infrastructure modernization in 94 county hospitals across 47 counties and 4 national referral hospitals. The Radiology modernization lot awarded to GE Healthcare represents the largest of seven tranches of Kenya’s progressive Kshs 38 billion (~USD 420 million) health development plan.

Through the program, GE Healthcare will bring a comprehensive package, including its advanced technologies and capabilities in design and software, covering:

1. The deployment of over 585 units of diagnostic imaging equipment including X-ray and ultrasound systems supported by a long-term servicing contract;

2. Training and education programs in line with GE Healthcare’s focus on skills development and capacity building;

3. Scope for the assessment and potential establishment of a GE Healthcare Training Center to be run jointly with an accredited local partner. If established, it would become the first training center for GE Healthcare in Africa.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Mr. James Macharia said, “The Managed Equipment Services Project is our key flagship program that will greatly impact the lives of Kenyans by decentralizing specialized healthcare services from national referral hospitals to county hospitals. This is in line with the Government’s commitment and support to counties to ensure continuous improvement of health services and expand access to quality and affordable healthcare – the right of all 46 million Kenyans.

“Disease patterns in Kenya are evolving, as are the needs of the healthcare system. In response to this, a central pillar of the health transformation strategy is aimed at strengthening preventative health services to help improve the long-term health outlook of the general population. By increasing access to preventative screenings, we aim to aid doctors in better detecting, diagnosing and treating non-communicable diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease, at an early stage. This has the potential to significantly reduce costs associated with late-stage diagnosis and also improve patient outcomes, enabling citizens to live fuller and healthier lives. As a leading global healthcare provider, we believe GE Healthcare is ideally placed to serve as our partner to deliver on this vision for earlier health.”

Source: Business Wire (link opens in a new window)

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Health Care, Technology