Mbagathi County Referral Hospital, once synonymous with neglect and complaints of poor service, is undergoing a remarkable transformation following reforms spearheaded by Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson.
A new management model, which placed the facility under the leadership of professional CEOs drawn from the health sector, has sparked a wave of progress that is redefining healthcare delivery in the capital.
Today, Mbagathi is home to Nairobi’s quality-accredited laboratory and is establishing a blood screening unit to help address the chronic shortage of safe blood in city hospitals.
According to CEO Dr Alexander Irungu, the facility is quickly emerging as a hub for medical research, drawing interest from both local and international scholars.
“With the only quality-accredited laboratory in Nairobi County and a new blood screening unit underway, we are not only serving our people but also attracting scholars from across the globe to benchmark on quality healthcare. Mbagathi Hospital is on a pathway to growth, with ongoing projects such as a Critical Care Unit (CCU),” said Dr Irungu.
The hospital has also taken strides in specialised care, performing complex surgeries once thought beyond the scope of a county referral facility.
Just last month, a neurosurgical team led by Dr Tom Mboya gave 27-year-old Freddy Christopher a new lease of life by conducting the hospital’s first-ever ventriculo-peritoneal shunt procedure to manage a high-grade brain tumour.
The delicate surgery, which restored stability and bladder function after chemotherapy and radiotherapy had failed, marked a major milestone for Mbagathi.
Earlier, in May 2024, another team led by plastic and reconstructive specialist Dr Chaudry Areeb carried out the hospital’s first major reconstructive plastic surgery.
The three-hour procedure, guided by a newly installed CT scan, successfully repaired multiple tendons, nerves, and vascular injuries to 29-year-old Bernard Sigei’s hand, restoring function and offering him a fresh start.
Irungu credited these successes to investment in modern equipment and improved hospital infrastructure.
“We have been able to equip the hospital with modern technology that enables our doctors to attend to patients thoroughly. This has boosted confidence among patients, many of whom are now flocking to our hospitals,” he said.
Mothers and newborns have also benefited from the reforms.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), launched in 2024 by Governor Sakaja, has since provided lifesaving care to 493 newborns admitted internally, alongside 126 referrals from other hospitals — nearly 620 babies in total.
“This is a strong number that reflects improved service delivery. NICU has transformed Mbagathi into a true county referral hospital, easing the burden on mothers who previously had to seek services far away,” Dr. Irungu added.
The success of the NICU has restored confidence in Nairobi’s public healthcare system.
Only a few years ago, families had to travel long distances for neonatal care, and preventable infant deaths were common. Today, thanks to expanded services at Mbagathi, that narrative is changing.
Governor Sakaja’s decision to appoint professional CEOs to head Nairobi’s hospitals has been credited for reshaping service delivery across the county.
The CEO-led model, first rolled out in Level 5 hospitals and now expanding to Level 4 facilities, has enhanced efficiency, restored trust, and delivered landmark achievements that position Mbagathi as the pace-setter in county healthcare
by BOSCO MARITA
