Counties Strengthen Emergency Medical Services as New Ambulance Dispatch Technology Takes Center Stage

-


Health officials from several county governments have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening emergency medical services across the country during a conference organized by the Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation (EMKF).
The forum brought together County Executive Committee Members for Health, emergency care partners, and healthcare experts to share experiences and explore innovative ways of improving ambulance services and pre-hospital care.
Speaking at the conference, Dr Gregory Ganda, the County Executive Committee Member for Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation in Kisumu County, said the county has made major strides in emergency response through the establishment of an Emergency Operations Centre.
Dr. Ganda explained that the centre hosts an ambulance dispatch system that coordinates emergency services across the county and acts as the command centre for medical emergencies.
The system was established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of efforts to operationalize a promise by the county leadership to provide free ambulance services to residents.
“During the governor’s manifesto launch, it was promised that Kisumu residents would access free ambulance services. We had to translate that commitment into policy, which led to the creation of the Emergency Operations Centre,” he said.
From the command centre, an incident manager coordinates ambulance movements, medical teams, and emergency responses across the county.
The county currently operates a fleet of 16 ambulances, with 14 currently functional, supported by trained emergency medical technicians and nurses who respond to medical emergencies.
Dr. Ganda noted that Kisumu aims to expand the fleet to at least 28 ambulances in order to reduce response times, particularly for residents living in remote areas.
“For some of the far-flung areas, the response time from the moment a call is made to the time a patient reaches a hospital can go up to 90 minutes. Increasing the number of ambulances and positioning them strategically will help reduce this gap,” he said.
The county is also exploring partnerships with private ambulance providers through a public-private partnership model, especially with the expected rollout of reimbursement mechanisms under the Social Health Authority.
At the same forum, David Ekuwan, the County Executive Committee Member for Health in Kericho County, said counties are increasingly investing in emergency medical systems to ensure residents receive timely care.
He noted that Kericho residents can access ambulance services through a dedicated county emergency number 0724 050 505, which connects callers to the county’s emergency response system.
Kericho currently has eight public health facilities and one private facility capable of offering emergency medical services, with ambulances dispatched to patients and then transferring them to the nearest health facility for stabilization and treatment.
“For the farthest areas in the county, the longest time it takes for an ambulance to reach a patient is about one hour,” Ekuwan said.
He added that the county has already developed an emergency medical services policy and has begun implementing it, including procurement of new emergency equipment and training healthcare workers in emergency response.
The conference also highlighted the progress counties have made in strengthening pre-hospital care systems.
According to Emily Nyagaki  Director of Programs and Government Relations at the Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation, counties are increasingly prioritizing emergency healthcare systems.
“So far, 12 counties have established dispatch centres that coordinate pre-hospital services, while more than 20 counties have developed policies on emergency medical care,” she said.
Nyagaki  added that 32 counties have already begun allocating funds in their budgets to support emergency healthcare services, signalling growing recognition of the importance of organized emergency response systems.
She noted that the foundation is working with all 47 counties to strengthen emergency medical services through improved infrastructure, ambulance systems, trained personnel, and stronger policies.
The conference focused on sharing best practices and exploring new digital platforms capable of tracking ambulance movements in real time and managing patient information during emergencies.
Health officials expressed optimism that the continued collaboration between county governments and emergency healthcare partners will significantly improve emergency response and ultimately save more lives across the country.

Popular posts from this blog

Mwenda Thuranira’s Myspace Foundation Rallies Support for Isiolo Flood Victims, Calls for Urgent Government Action

-
Image
By irene  In the aftermath of the devastating floods that have ravaged Isiolo County, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair.  Mwenda Thuranira’s Myspace Foundation has stepped up in solidarity with affected communities. The floods, which have displaced families, destroyed homes, and disrupted lives, also claimed the vehicle of MCA Lemantile in a tragic incident that underscores the severity of the disaster. As local residents grapple with loss and uncertainty, Myspace Foundation, under the leadership of Mwenda Thuranira, has expressed deep concern over the County Government’s inadequate disaster preparedness and response. The foundation has highlighted the critical gaps—lack of early warning systems, insufficient emergency shelters, and poor drainage infrastructure—as key contributors to the escalating impact of such natural calamities. “Myspace Foundation stands with the people of Isiolo in this trying time,” said Mwenda Thuranira.  “We are not on...
Read more

IGAD Executive Secretary Calls for United AI and Cybersecurity Strategy to Secure Horn of Africa

-
Image
By irene  The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, has issued a compelling call for regional collaboration in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity measures to safeguard the future of security, development, and digital resilience across the Greater Horn of Africa. Speaking during the Regional Consultative Seminar on Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity for Security, Cooperation, and Resilience, Dr. Gebeyehu emphasized the transformative potential of technology when guided by ethical leadership and human-centered values. “Technology best serves humanity when we, as humanity, guide its development,” he said, while addressing dignitaries including Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for ICT Hon. William Kabogo and the Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Gunnar Andreas Holm. The IGAD chief cited AI as a critical tool in enhancing regional law enforcement capabilities, combatin...
Read more

Campaigner CitizenGO Ann Kioko Leads 12,000 Kenyans in Urgent Plea to President: Reject UN SOGI Vote, Defend Family and National Values

-
Image
By irene Mwende  NAIROBI, KENYA – Ann Kioko, the Campaign Director for CitizenGO Africa, has delivered a powerful petition on behalf of 12,620 concerned Kenyan citizens, urging President William Ruto to immediately clarify and retract Kenya’s recent vote at the United Nations in favor of extending the controversial mandate on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI). In a strongly worded statement, Kioko expressed deep urgency and grave concern over Kenya’s July 5, 2025 vote endorsing the renewal of the so-called UN Independent Expert on SOGI. According to Kioko, this decision was made without any public consultation or national debate and starkly contradicts the spirit of Kenya’s Constitution, which recognizes the family as the natural and fundamental unit of society. “The SOGI mandate is far from a neutral human rights mechanism,” Kioko said. “It has evolved into a politicized tool used to pressure sovereign nations to accept ideologies that threaten ...
Read more