NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 21- President William Ruto says the government is set to introduce free initial emergency treatment alongside a coordinated national ambulance dispatch system designed to improve response times and save lives.
Ruto stated that the plan includes a national dispatch centre which will centralize ambulance coordination across the country, ensuring faster and more efficient emergency response.
The President noted that delays in emergency care have previously resulted in preventable deaths, underscoring the need for a more structured and responsive system.
“People die the first few minutes after an accident or when they get to hospital and they are not attended immediately. So as a result under the universal health coverage in SHA [Social Health Authority], we have also established the emergency critical care fund and henceforth every accident when a victim arrives in hospital the first 24 hours is paid for by SHA for everybody,” Ruto said.
Once operational, the centre will be integrated into the country’s digital health infrastructure via the Digital Health Agency, facilitating real-time ambulance coordination and faster deployment of emergency services. It is projected to manage approximately 100,000 emergency evacuations annually.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale explained that the new system is designed to rectify long-standing deficiencies in emergency response.
“As we strengthen healthcare delivery, emergency medical services must become more responsive and accessible to every Kenyan. I commend St. John Ambulance Kenya for its highway emergency response project which continues to provide life-saving interventions along our major support corridors, transport corridors. This initiative demonstrates the power of partnership in reducing preventable deaths through rapid response and timely emergency care,”the Health CS added.
