Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has confirmed that the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre located at the Social Health Authority headquarters in Nairobi is complete and ready for commissioning.
The centre is set to be officially launched by President William Ruto on August 5, marking a significant advancement in Kenya's emergency medical services under the Taifa Care programme.
Centralised Emergency Response Hub
The facility will serve as Kenya's national command centre for coordinating ambulance services across all 47 counties. Operating through the SHA 922 Lifeline, it will manage emergency calls, dispatch ambulances, conduct clinical triage, and track vehicles in real time.
This integrated platform will also streamline communication between ambulance teams and healthcare facilities to ensure patients receive timely and appropriate care.
Integration and Staffing
- Over 200 ambulances accredited by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council have already been connected to the system.
- The centre is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of 40 professionals, including medical officers, doctors, and customer service personnel.
- Development involved collaboration with Kenya Red Cross, ambulance providers, and Safaricom to leverage technology for improved emergency healthcare access.
Addressing Past Challenges
Previously, ambulance services in Kenya were fragmented, with separate fleets and communication systems operated by counties, hospitals, and private providers. This often led to delays in locating and dispatching ambulances efficiently.
The new dispatch centre aims to resolve these issues by providing a unified system that enhances resource utilisation, enables real-time vehicle tracking, and improves coordination between emergency responders and health facilities.
During his inspection visit, CS Duale emphasized the centre’s readiness and its role in strengthening Kenya’s emergency medical response capabilities.
