By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, July 8, 2026 - Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has reaffirmed its commitment to making healthcare more accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities, with senior officials calling for stronger collaboration, research and policy reforms to eliminate barriers to quality medical care.
The commitment was made during the Disability Health Equity Forum,held at the hospital's Research, Training and Innovation Centre under the theme, “Advancing Disability Health Equity through Collaboration, Research and Inclusive Healthcare."
The forum brought together hospital management, members of the Disability Mainstreaming Committee, organisations representing persons with disabilities, healthcare professionals, researchers and development partners to discuss strategies for promoting equitable healthcare services.
Speaking during the forum, KNH Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr. Joel Lessan said disability inclusion goes beyond ensuring physical accessibility to health facilities, stressing that persons with disabilities must be actively involved in shaping healthcare services, research and policy.
He challenged healthcare providers to remove barriers that continue to limit access to quality care for persons with disabilities, adding that recommendations from the forum would help strengthen clinical practice, research, medical education and health policies.
KNH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Leaiyampe lauded the University of Michigan for its continued partnership with the hospital and commended the Research, Training and Innovation Centre, led by Dr. Kinuthia for driving innovation and promoting inclusive healthcare.
He reaffirmed the hospital's commitment to disability mainstreaming, saying KNH is working to improve the representation of persons with disabilities within its workforce while ensuring healthcare services are responsive to their needs.
KNH Board Chairman Abass Guleid said the hospital remains focused on establishing Centres of Excellence in specialised medical fields, with sports medicine identified as a key priority.
He expressed confidence that KNH is well positioned to become a regional referral centre for specialised healthcare, particularly as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The forum forms part of KNH's broader efforts to promote equitable healthcare by integrating disability inclusion into service delivery, research, workforce development and institutional policy, in line with national commitments to universal health coverage and the rights of persons with disabilities.
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