Newly launched China-funded hospital in Kenya to start breast cancer treatment soon

China once again has a splendid task on the benefits of Kenyans. The country has handed over a 10.5 billion Kenyan shillings (around USD 104 million) hospital to the Kenyan authorities.

The economic and commercial counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Kenya, Guo Ce opined during the handover ceremony in Kenya's capital, Nairobi that the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital is the first hospital project fully financed by Chinese concessional loan.

"It has been equipped with the world-class medical facilities which are rare not only in Kenya but also in China. As a reliable development partner and true friend, the Chinese government cooperates closely with the Kenyan side and has provided massive financial and technical support since 1960s, adding that the Chinese government has offered a lot of loan support to Kenya," Guo opined at the handover ceremony. The hospital was built by China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Company Ltd., as reported by Xinhua.

The Chinese envoy added that half of all loans from China are on preferential export buyer credit and government concessional loans at low-interest rates that are just a quarter or even less than the prevailing international financial market rates.

"With these loans, dozens of projects were completed, such as Thika road, Nairobi bypass roads, several transmission lines, 140 megawatts Olkaria geothermal wells and also Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)," Guo added.

According to the chairperson of Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital, Olive Mugenda, the new modern hospital will complement the work of the two other existing referral hospitals in Kenya. Mugenda further added that Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital will improve the lives of Kenyans through facilitating evidence-based health care in the country, and all the infrastructural works for the hospital has been completed and recruitment of personnel will commence in June.

On the other hand, the hospital is likely to host the first breast cancer treatment facility in Kenya. Joseph Kinyua, head of public service, cited that the hi-tech hospital will help Kenya achieve its strategy on universal healthcare. As Kenya losses a substantial amount of foreign exchange when its citizens go abroad to search for medical treatment, the new hospital will help in reducing outbound medical tourism, Kinyua added.

Also Read: Kenya ranks best in African continent in offering good digital life: New report