Patients at the National Spinal Injury and Referral Hospital (NSIRH) are set to receive enhanced healthcare services thanks to a generous donation of rehabilitation therapy equipment from the Kenya Reinsurance Corporation (Kenya Re).
This initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage.
The donation comprises 64 specialized items, including heavy-duty suction machines for surgical use, ripple mattresses for high-risk patients, wound VAC machines, a Cervical Spine Mayfield Holder, and wheelchairs designed for both quadriplegic and paraplegic patients.
These resources will significantly bolster the hospital’s capacity to cater to the growing number of spinal injury patients.
During the handover ceremony, Dr. Hillary Maina Wachinga, the Group Managing Director for Kenya Re, expressed the corporation’s enthusiasm for supporting the government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
He emphasized that this partnership will greatly improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare for spinal injury patients. The initiative underscores Kenya Re’s dedication to advancing critical healthcare programs that positively impact the community.
The newly acquired equipment will enable the hospital to address the rising demand for services in Curative Spinal Services, Rehabilitation Services, and Promotive and Preventive Spine Care.
Dr. Kibet Shikuku, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Spinal Injury and Referral Hospital, highlighted the steady increase in annual spinal injury cases, which have risen from 250 to 700 over the past decade.
This surge has overwhelmed the facility, which currently has a bed capacity of 35 patients, leading to prolonged waiting periods for admission.
Dr Shikuku emphasized that the donated equipment will not only improve patient outcomes but also enable the hospital to extend specialized services to individuals seeking assistance from other countries.
In addition to its support for NSIRH, Kenya Re has been actively involved in aiding persons with disabilities in Kenya through the Niko Fiti campaign.
Since its inception in 2011, over 12,800 individuals have benefited from mobility and assistive devices. Furthermore, the corporation has collaborated with KISE to establish a state-of-the-art Psycho-Education Assessment and Rehabilitation center, which stands as one of the finest in East and Central Africa.
