The Kenyan Ministry of Health has selected GE Healthcare as a key strategic technology and solutions partner, following the conclusion of an open tender process, as part of a wide-scale healthcare transformation programme.

The programme will cover radiology infrastructure modernisation in 94 county hospitals across 47 counties and four national referral hospitals, said a statement.

The radiology modernisation lot awarded to GE Healthcare represents the largest of seven tranches of Kenya’s progressive 38 billion Kenyan shilling ($420 million) health development plan, it said.

Through the programme, GE Healthcare will bring a comprehensive package, including its advanced technologies and capabilities in design and software.

It will cover the deployment of over 585 units of diagnostic imaging equipment including x-ray and ultrasound systems supported by a long-term servicing contract; training and education programmes in line with GE Healthcare’s focus on skills development and capacity building; and 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 centre for GE Healthcare in Africa.

James Macharia, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, said: “The Managed Equipment Services Project is our key flagship programme that will greatly impact the lives of Kenyans by decentralising specialised 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.”

Farid Fezoua, president and chief executive officer of GE Healthcare Africa, said: “GE Healthcare is honoured and privileged to have been selected by the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Health, to support its healthcare transformation strategy in line with the country’s Vision 2030 Plan.

“Sustainable healthcare transformation requires a system-wide approach combining technology, capability building, including training, service and maintenance as well as long-term financing.”

Over the coming months the GE Healthcare team will be working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, local project management partners and Project Partners, including the relevant county healthcare administrators and recipient hospitals, to ensure the rapid and successful implementation of the program.

Further details on the deployment schedule in the respective counties will be made available in due course. - TradeArabia News Service