Nairobi: The Nairobi Hospital has officially unveiled a state-of-the-art AI-powered CT scanner as part of a strategic initiative to modernize diagnostic services and tackle the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Kenya. The Siemens SOMATOM Drive 256-slice CT scanner, launched during a high-level ceremony presided over by Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale, was described as a transformative tool that would enhance early diagnosis, speed of care, and treatment precision for critical conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders.
According to Kenya News Agency, the launch event featured the signing of a collaboration framework between the Nairobi Hospital and the newly formed Social Health Authority (SHA), marking a public-private partnership aimed at expanding access to high-quality diagnostic services. The scanner reaffirms that world-class care can be delivered in Kenya, reducing dependence on medical tourism and saving the 11,000 Kenyans who seek treatment abroad each year.
Health Cabinet Secretary Duale emphasized the scanner’s alignment with Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda and praised the hospital’s commitment to providing subsidized oncology and renal services to SHA beneficiaries. He urged private institutions to collaborate with public systems to ease the cost of care and restore dignity to Kenyan households.
The Siemens scanner, the first of its kind in East Africa, features dual-source and AI-assisted technology, delivering ultra-fast, high-resolution imaging while minimizing radiation exposure and the need for contrast agents. Applications include pediatric, trauma, cardiac, orthopedic, oncological, and neurological imaging.
Dr. Barcley Onyambu, Chairperson of the Board of Management at The Nairobi Hospital, stated that the investment symbolizes more than technological advancement; it represents their determination to bring global standards to Kenyan patients and enhance care anchored in dignity. The hospital’s CEO, Mr. Felix Osano, noted that the new CT scanner complements other recent upgrades in radiology and diagnostics, reducing waiting time, improving accuracy, and centering care on the patient.
In a bid to increase uptake and accessibility, The Nairobi Hospital announced a 10 percent discount on all CT scan services for one month, from June 15 to July 14, 2025. Meanwhile, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi and The Nairobi Hospital CEO signed a collaboration framework enabling SHA-covered patients to access advanced diagnostic and treatment services at the facility. The SHA agreement includes provisions for fully subsidized oncology care and renal treatment services, including post-transplant care, for qualifying patients.
The Nairobi Hospital, ISO-certified and internationally recognized for quality management and sustainability, continues to pursue Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation as part of its broader goal to become a continental benchmark in healthcare delivery. With this launch, Kenya inches closer to achieving not only world-class diagnostic care but also a more equitable, inclusive healthcare system.
