President William Ruto has announced the country will establish its first-ever National Ambulance Dispatch Centre, a move aimed at revolutionising emergency medical response across the country.
He said the centre will coordinate emergency services nationwide, ensuring every Kenyan can access timely evacuation and emergency response services free of charge.
Speaking at State House when he hosted volunteers from St John Ambulance Kenya, Ruto said the dispatch centre will leverage technology to facilitate real-time emergency response and significantly improve coordination among ambulance service providers.
"Kenya will launch its first National Ambulance Dispatch Centre, which is scheduled to be launched at the end of July," the President said.
Ruto spoke when he presided over the 95th St John Ambulance annual parade and inspection.
According to the President, the centre is expected to coordinate about 100,000 emergency evacuations annually, marking a major milestone in the country's efforts to strengthen emergency healthcare services.
“It will do real-time deployment and emergency response. Every Kenyan who requires emergency evacuation will get it free of charge.”
The dispatch centre forms part of broader reforms under the government's healthcare agenda and is expected to work closely with emergency responders, hospitals and county governments to enhance efficiency in handling accidents, medical emergencies and disasters.
In a further boost to emergency response services, Ruto directed that legal changes be initiated to provide St John Ambulance Kenya with direct funding from the Exchequer.
Under the proposed arrangement, the humanitarian organisation will receive up to Sh100 million annually from the national government to support its operations and expand its capacity to respond to emergencies.
“I have directed the Ministry of Health to review the regulations so that from next year we will provide a supportive budget of Sh100 million every year,” the President stated.
Ruto praised the organisation's volunteers for their dedication to saving lives and providing critical first aid and emergency services across the country.
"The organisation deserves every support because of the work they are doing in saving lives," he said.
Ruto also pledged the government will donate an additional 15 ambulances to the organisation to bolster its emergency response capabilities.
The ambulances, he said, will be registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) framework, enabling the organisation to receive payments for services rendered through the national health insurance system.
“I have been told that St John Ambulance today has only four ambulances registered with SHA. I have instructed the Ministry of Health, because of what St John does, we will buy 15 modern ambulances and register them with SHA so that they can be covered and all emergency services provided can be paid for by SHA,” he said.
Further, the President said the government will donate one acre in Upper Hill to St John Ambulance to put up its headquarters and top up another Sh200 million to the Sh300 million the organisation will receive from Parliament in exchange for its building.
The move is expected to enhance the sustainability of emergency medical services while integrating ambulance operations into the country's evolving universal healthcare framework.
The President was accompanied, among others, by Health CS Aden Duale during Sunday's State House function.
Duale, while acknowledging the work done by emergency service providers, said his ministry will do all it can to support them and make emergency services available to Kenyans.
“We recognise the work being done by St John Ambulance. Together, we will strengthen emergency medical response across the country,” Duale stated.
