NAIROBI– Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called on private healthcare providers to fully embrace digital connectivity and align with the government’s Digital Health Superhighway initiative, saying it is key to transforming Kenya into a regional health hub.
Speaking during the official launch of Nairobi West Hospital’s Cyclotron 11 MeV machine at a Gala Dinner themed “Illuminating the Future: Innovation, Impact and Inspiration”, CS Duale said digitization would not only improve efficiency and patient outcomes but also help eliminate duplication of services across the health sector.
“I urge all private partners to align with our Digital Health Superhighway. Enhanced digital connectivity will drive efficiency, enable integrated care and accelerate our journey towards a more equitable, responsive health system,” said Duale.
He further directed all national referral hospitals, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and Digital Health Authority (DHA) to formalize partnerships with Centres of Excellence such as Nairobi West Hospital, citing the importance of collaboration, resource-sharing, and interoperability in delivering quality healthcare.
IN PICTURES: Health CS @HonAdenDuale on Saturday officiated the launch of Nairobi West Hospital’s Cyclotron 11 MeV machine during a Gala Dinner themed “Illuminating the Future: Innovation, Impact and Inspiration,” marking a major milestone in Kenya’s cancer care through local… pic.twitter.com/KcakC7qNTu
— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) June 7, 2025
The event also marked a historic moment in Kenya’s fight against cancer with the commissioning of a Cyclotron 11 MeV machine and PET/CT scanner—enabling the local production of radioisotopes critical for early cancer diagnosis and precision treatment.
Duale lauded Nairobi West Hospital for its pioneering work in cutting-edge treatments including AI-enabled PET/CT scans, stem cell therapy, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and over 20 successful bone marrow transplants.
He said the hospital’s evolution from a small outpatient clinic in Tala, Machakos in the 1970s to a Level 6 private referral centre under Dr. Umesh Saini’s leadership was a testament to visionary investment and innovation in healthcare.
The Health CS was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Dr. Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Mary Muthoni (Public Health) during the commissioning.
With nearly 30,000 Kenyans losing their lives annually to late cancer diagnosis, the launch of locally-based radioisotope production is expected to drastically reduce diagnosis delays and treatment costs.
“We are entering a new era where strategic collaboration, digital infrastructure, and medical innovation will define our healthcare future. Let’s work together to illuminate that path,” said Duale.
