By Samson Oyugi
Mbagathi County Referral Hospital has, over the last two years, undergone significant upgrades in service delivery, now attracting more than 1,000 patients daily.
The hospital has become the first county facility and the third public hospital in Nairobi after Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) to offer pre-term dialysis for children. This makes it a beacon of hope for young patients battling kidney complications.
This has been enabled under the right leadership of the CEO Dr Alexander Irungu, who said many patients have already benefited at the facility.
“In cases where a child is born prematurely, we run the necessary tests to ensure their survival in our NICU. Where dialysis is needed, we are fully equipped to provide it, thanks to the dedication of our doctors,” said Dr. Irungu.
He described the pediatric dialysis unit as an “oasis” for families struggling with the high costs and limited access to treatment for children with kidney conditions.
“In the last two years, under the leadership of Governor Sakaja, Mbagathi has transformed its administrative model to be led by a CEO. I am among the first appointed under this system, which empowers us to advise, decide, and execute what matters most to patients. This has greatly improved service delivery,” he added.
Medical team leader Dr. Christine Manyasi emphasized that early intervention in managing childhood kidney complications is critical, especially for premature and underweight babies whose organs are still developing. By offering pre-term dialysis, Mbagathi is filling a crucial gap in Nairobi’s healthcare system while strengthening the county’s commitment to specialized care in public facilities.
“Mbagathi has become more than a hospital; it is a sanctuary of healing for the most vulnerable children. Soon, we will also establish a Human Milk Bank to further support infants in need,” Dr. Manyasi revealed.
The hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), launched in 2024 by Governor Sakaja, has since provided lifesaving care to 493 newborns admitted internally and 126 referred from other hospitals a total of nearly 620 babies.
The NICU’s success has helped boost public confidence in Nairobi’s healthcare system. Only a few years ago, families had to travel long distances for specialized neonatal care, and preventable infant deaths were common. Today, thanks to Mbagathi’s expanded services, that story is changing.
