A referral hospital is a major healthcare facility that offers specialized services across a range of medical fields, including surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatry, general medicine, and gynecology. These hospitals provide care for patients with complex conditions that smaller healthcare facilities are unable to manage. Kenya has five national referral hospitals, as outlined below:
1. Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)
Kenyatta National Hospital is the largest referral hospital in East and Central Africa. It is located along Hospital Road in Upper Hill, Nairobi, with a capacity of 1,800 beds. KNH offers 50 wards, 22 outpatient clinics, 24 theatres (16 specialized), and an accident and emergency department. It also serves as the teaching hospital for the University of Nairobi Faculty of Health Sciences.
2. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH)
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, located along Nandi Road in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, is the second national referral hospital in Kenya. The hospital has a bed capacity of 1,020 and functions as a teaching facility for Moi University College of Health Sciences.
3. Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital
Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital is Kenya’s premier psychiatric institution. It specializes in mental health services and provides care for patients with severe psychiatric disorders who are unable to access private healthcare. The hospital has a bed capacity of around 800 and serves as a psychiatric teaching facility.
4. Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH)
KUTRRH is a public national referral hospital located along the Northern Bypass in Kahawa West, Nairobi. Opened in 2019, it has 650 beds and offers comprehensive healthcare services, including cancer care, renal services, radiology, emergency care, rehabilitation, surgery, maternity, mental health, critical care, pediatrics, orthopedics, and specialized clinics.
5. National Spinal Injury Referral Hospital
The National Spinal Injury Referral Hospital focuses on the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injuries. Located along Lenana Road, off Rose Avenue in Kilimani, Nairobi, the hospital has a capacity of 33 beds and specializes in spinal injury care.
These hospitals serve as key healthcare centers in Kenya, providing advanced medical care and training for future healthcare professionals.
