Forest Japan Diagnostic Centre, a diagnostic medical facility, run by a world-class Japanese hospital, launched its services in Kenya on Monday.
The centre, the first of its kind to
be opened by a Japanese hospital in sub-Saharan Africa, will provide medical
services to Kenyans from all walks of life.
Speaking at the opening ceremony
held in Nairobi, Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Mr. Tatsushi Terada said Japan
has already extended some Ksh. 2.9 billion to Kenya to boost the provision of
universal health services to all Kenyans.
Mr. Terada added that Nairobi will
be the venue for the upcoming TICAD VI (Tokyo International Conference on
Africa Development) in August this year.
"Through these and other
interventions, Japan's commitment to universal health coverage will be further
accelerated," he added.
Located in the capital Nairobi, the
facility now runs a fully operational diagnostic centre at Fortis Suites along
Hospital road, Upper Hill Nairobi with services ranging from radiology (CT,
Digital X-Ray, and Ultrasound) and Laboratory Services at the first phase.
Representing the Health Cabinet
Secretary, Dr. Cleopa Mailu, Dr. Charles Okello, Chief Radiologist at the
Ministry of Health, welcomed the opening of the new facility in Kenya,
emphasizing the important role that the private sector plays in supplementing
government's efforts towards attainment of universal access to health services
for all.
"The SDGS (Sustainable
Development Goals) have got 17 goals, which are difficult to achieve without
help from the private sector," he said.
Dr. Mitsuo Takei, Founder and Chief
Executive of Grand Forest Japan Hospital, which runs the Nairobi centre, said
the Japanese medical institution intends to set up a fully pledged hospital in
Kenya in the coming years.
Kenneth Otieno, the centre's project
coordinator, said plans are underway to make their services affordable to all
Kenyans. Currently, the prices are benchmarked with those of Kenyatta National
Hospital, the country's largest referral hospital.
Forest Japan diagnostic centre will
be offering a CT-scan for Ksh. 7, 400. It aims at serving 10-15 patients a day. Among those present, included JICA Kenya Chief
Representative Ms. Keiko
Sano, medical practitioners and other dignitaries.
Sano, medical practitioners and other dignitaries.
The Forest Japan diagnostic centre in Nairobi was established under a direct foreign investment from Grand Forest Japan Hospital based in Oita Prefecture, Japan.
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