Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital has called for increased investment to accelerate healthcare access for children. The appeal comes as the hospital launched its newest facility, the Utawala Medical Centre, marking the 18th branch in a growing network critical to closing persistent gaps in children’s access to healthcare.
The launch comes against a national backdrop where the Ministry of Health’s statistics note that Kenya’s under-five mortality rate stands at 41 per 1,000 live births, indicating a need to strengthen access to healthcare facilities and services for children.
Speaking during the Utawala Medical Centre launch, Dr. Robert Nyarango, CEO of Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, emphasised the need to bring healthcare facilities closer to growing communities.
“It has long been established that distance to a health facility is a key factor in determining healthcare outcomes. Every facility we open is driven by where children are, more than where hospitals have traditionally been. For nearly 80 years, Gertrude’s Hospital has been a referral point for the most complex paediatric cases, but that only works if there is a strong base of accessible and quality primary care helping reduce the burden at the earlier stages of the healthcare journey,” said Dr. Nyarango, adding, “Reaching our 18th branch is a significant milestone and also a marker of how far the sector as a whole needs to go. We are calling on partners across private and public sector to match this investment in community-based paediatric infrastructure because proximity to care will save children’s lives.”
The choice of Utawala reflects one of Nairobi’s fastest-growing residential corridors. The area has rapid urbanisation, and an expanding base of households driven by a surge in housing developments and young families.
Rosebella Owanga, Director of Good Testimony Schools and chief guest at the launch, said the new centre would have ripple effects well beyond individual family health.
“As educators, we see every day how a child’s health and their ability to learn are deeply connected. A child who is not immunised, who is unwell or whose family has to travel hours to see a doctor will miss school and fall behind educational and social milestones. This is the kind of investment that communities all around the country, not just Utawala, need,” said. Ms. Owanga.
Diane Mulatya, Outpatient Manager at the Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital Utawala Medical Centre, said: “What we have observed over the past few years is a steady rise in the number of young families settling in Utawala and its surroundings. This points to a clear need for trusted and high-quality outpatient and preventative healthcare. We encourage families in the area to bring their children for routine check-ups, immunisation, and even emergent healthcare to experience the Gertrude’s Hospital standard of care close to home.”
The new branch serves families in Utawala, Ruai, Embakasi, Mihang’o, Joska, Malaa, and the wider Eastern Bypass area. It provides services including accident and emergency, outpatient care, laboratory, pharmacy, well baby clinic, and paediatric specialist clinic backed by Gertrude’s Hospital’s comprehensive network of leading specialists.
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