By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, June 24, 2026 - The government is in the final stages of launching a national emergency evacuation service and a centralized ambulance dispatch system as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the progress following a consultative meeting with a Social Health Authority (SHA) delegation led by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi to review preparedness for the rollout of the Emergency Evacuation Services and the operationalization of the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre.
During the meeting, officials assessed progress on infrastructure development, ICT systems, ambulance onboarding, staffing, communications and overall launch readiness.
A key feature of the initiative will be the proposed SHA 112 Lifeline, which is expected to become the country's national emergency response service, providing Kenyans with a single, recognizable number to access emergency medical assistance.
According to Duale, the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre is nearing completion, with the required systems already installed and undergoing operational testing. He added that 40 trained dispatch personnel are ready to support call-centre operations once the service is launched.
The Cabinet Secretary also noted significant progress in ambulance empanelment, revealing that 107 ambulances have already met the standards required to participate in the emergency response network.
The meeting endorsed a nationwide public awareness campaign to promote the service ahead of its launch. The campaign will utilize mainstream media, community outreach programmes, National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) forums, social media platforms, healthcare providers and county government stakeholders.
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Duale commended the progress achieved so far but stressed the need to complete ICT integration, finalize ambulance empanelment and conclude operational testing before the official rollout.
He said the new emergency response system is expected to improve coordination of emergency medical services and enhance access to timely and specialized healthcare across the country.
“Once operational, the service will strengthen emergency response coordination and improve access to timely and specialized healthcare across the country,” Duale said.
The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni and Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Kariuki.
The rollout of the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre is expected to be a major milestone in Kenya’s efforts to modernize emergency healthcare services and ensure faster response to medical emergencies nationwide.