Ksh.4.5B State-of-the-art Cardiothoracic Centre Opened at AGC Tenwek Mission Hospital

Bomet, 

Thursday, 24 October, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

President William Ruto has officially commissioned a Ksh. 4.5 Billion Cardiothoracic Centre at the AGC Tenwek Mission Hospital in Bomet County on Thursday afternoon. 

The facility marks a significant advancement in cardiovascular health services, aimed at enhancing the well-being of the Kenyan population.

Construction of the CTC facility begun in 2021, but the real journey began in 2006 when AGCTenwekHospital conducted a two-week medical clinic for patients suffering from rheumatic conditions. It was during that clinic that the hospital conducted it's first open heart surgery and subsequent procedures thereafter.

The Project was funded by the Samaritan's Purse and the World Gospel Mission(WGM). Interdenominational Christian missionary agencies based in Boone, North Carolina and Marion, Indiana in United States.

President Ruto acknowledged the role of religious organizations and faith - based groups in contributing to the Government’s Universal Healthcare coverage. 

"We thank faith-based organisations for partnering with us to deliver affordable, accessible healthcare to Kenyans over the years." Ruto said. 

In return to the charitable project, the president promised to review and scale down visa and work permit requirements for missionaries to ease their operations in the country.

The President welcomed more investors to inject money into Kenya's Healthcare systems Owing to the growing gap in disparities in acess to better healthcare between rural and urban centres. 

"This Ksh. 4.5 billion AGCTenwekHospital Cardiothoracic Centre points to the confidence that our development partners have in Kenya. I extend a warm welcome to investors as Kenya is ripe for innovative healthcare investments." President Ruto said. 

"The disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural areas, as well as among different economic classes, remain huge. AGCTenwekHospital Cardiothoracic Centre raises the bar very high for medical practice in Kenya by bridging this gap through affordable and compassionate health care. " He added. 

The facility comes at a critical time when rheumatic and congenital heart diseases were common in the Rift Valley Region region and Kenya at large.

The Hospital has however noted that is has Since, gradually built it's capacity to provide treatment for these ailments through training of local medical staff and investing in state-of-the-art medical equipment. 

Health CS Deborah Mlongo Barasa expressed gratitude for the support of stakeholders, affirming that under President Ruto’s leadership, Universal Health Coverage is becoming a reality for all Kenyans.

"AGCTenwekHospital has enjoyed quiet respect among medical practitioners and inspired confidence among patients and their families. 

I appreciate the institutions, without whose support we would probably not be here today: World Gospel Mission, Africa Gospel Church, Friends of Tenwek, led by Samaritan Purse and the Tenwek Community, which has provided a home for the hospital for nearly a century. "CS Barasa said. 

Dr. Barasa emphasized the urgent need for effective interventions against cardiovascular diseases, which are the second leading cause of mortality in Kenya, contributing to 13% of total deaths and 25% of hospital admissions.

To support Universal Health Coverage, the CS noted cardiovascular conditions have been prioritized in the health insurance funds of the Social Health Authority, ensuring comprehensive coverage for affected individuals. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has scaled up Initiatives to strengthen community health systems through training Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and implementing community screening programs.