Good news for residents as Lusaka, Duale unveil Sh300m CT scan, commission radiology unit at Bungoma Hospital
Bungoma County has received a major boost in healthcare delivery following the commissioning of a state-of-the-art radiology unit and a CT scan machine valued at approximately Sh300 million at market rates.
The facility, launched by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale at Bungoma County Referral Hospital (BCRH), is expected to significantly enhance diagnostic services and reduce costly referrals outside the county.
The advanced imaging equipment was acquired under the National Equipment Services Programme (NESP), a joint initiative between the national and county governments aimed at improving access to critical medical technologies.
A CT (Computed Tomography) scanner uses rotating X-ray beams to produce detailed three-dimensional images of internal organs, enabling faster and more accurate diagnosis of conditions such as trauma injuries, tumors, infections, and stroke.
Speaking during the launch, Duale said the government remains committed to ensuring equitable access to specialized healthcare services across the country.
โPatients in need of critical diagnostics will no longer have to travel long distances. These services are now within reach,โ he said.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka termed the commissioning of the Sh300 million machine a historic milestone for the countyโs health sector.
โToday marks a turning point in Bungomaโs healthcare journey. This CT scan machine is not just equipmentโit is a fulfillment of our promise to deliver quality and accessible healthcare to our people,โ Lusaka said.
He noted that the new unit will drastically cut costs for patients, save time, and most importantly, save lives by enabling timely and accurate diagnosis.
โFor years, our people have been forced to seek these services in distant facilities such as Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, often at great financial and emotional cost. That is now a thing of the past,โ he added.
The governor further revealed that the county has already trained two radiologists and ten radiographers to operate the machine, ensuring round-the-clock service delivery.
With the commissioning of the new radiology unit, BCRH will now offer a wide range of diagnostic and specialized services, including CT scans, X-rays, ultrasound, ECG, mammography, echocardiography, and oncology careโpositioning the facility as a key referral center in the region.
Lusaka also urged residents to enroll in the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that such advanced diagnostic services are expensive but can be made affordable through health coverage.
Among those present were SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi, Presidential Advisor Daniel Mwai, and Bungoma Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany, alongside other national and county government officials.
