NAIROBI, Kenya — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has inspected the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre at the Social Health Authority (SHA) headquarters in Nairobi ahead of its official launch by President William Ruto on Wednesday, describing the facility as fully prepared to strengthen Kenya’s emergency medical response under the Taifa Care programme.
During the inspection, Duale said the centre had completed all operational preparations and was ready for commissioning, marking what he described as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to build an integrated, technology-driven emergency healthcare system.
The National Ambulance Dispatch Centre will operate through the SHA 922 Lifeline, serving as Kenya’s central command hub for coordinating emergency medical services across all 47 counties.
According to the Health Cabinet Secretary, the facility will provide 24-hour ambulance dispatch services through a single national platform, integrating intelligent call management, clinical triage, real-time ambulance tracking and coordination with health facilities to improve emergency response times and access to lifesaving care.
More than 200 ambulances accredited by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) have already been connected to the system, with additional ambulance providers expected to join as nationwide coverage expands.
The dispatch centre is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of 40 trained professionals, including medical officers, doctors and customer service personnel responsible for emergency dispatch operations and digital health management.
Duale said the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve emergency healthcare delivery and ensure Kenyans can access timely medical assistance regardless of their location.
The facility was developed through collaboration between the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Kenya Red Cross, ambulance service providers and Safaricom, bringing together public and private sector expertise to establish a coordinated national emergency response network.
SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi led the authority’s management team in hosting the Cabinet Secretary during the inspection.
