Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has confirmed that the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre is ready for commissioning ahead of its official launch by President William Ruto, describing the facility as a major milestone in strengthening emergency healthcare services under the Taifa Care programme.
Duale inspected the centre at the Social Health Authority (SHA) headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday, saying all operational preparations had been completed and the facility was ready to begin coordinating emergency medical responses across the country.
He said the new dispatch centre is designed to improve emergency response by integrating technology with ambulance services and health facilities nationwide.
National command centre for emergencies
The National Ambulance Dispatch Centre will operate through the SHA 922 Lifeline, serving as the country’s central command hub for emergency medical coordination.
According to the Health Cabinet Secretary, the system will provide round-the-clock ambulance dispatch services using a single national platform that combines intelligent call management, clinical triage, real-time ambulance tracking and coordination with hospitals.
The integrated approach is expected to improve response times and ensure patients receive timely medical attention regardless of their location.
More than 200 ambulances connected
Duale said over 200 ambulances accredited by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) have already been integrated into the platform, with additional service providers expected to join as the programme expands nationwide.
The dispatch centre is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of about 40 professionals, including doctors, medical officers and customer service personnel responsible for managing emergency calls, dispatch operations and digital health services.
He noted that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to using technology to improve healthcare delivery and make emergency services more accessible to Kenyans.
Public-private collaboration
The emergency response system was developed through a partnership involving the Social Health Authority, the Kenya Red Cross, Safaricom and accredited ambulance service providers.
Duale said the collaboration brings together expertise from both the public and private sectors to establish a coordinated national ambulance network capable of responding efficiently to medical emergencies across all 47 counties.
SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi accompanied the Cabinet Secretary during the inspection and briefed him on the facility’s operational readiness.
The National Ambulance Dispatch Centre is expected to become the country’s primary emergency coordination hub once officially launched, supporting faster ambulance deployment, improved patient referrals and enhanced access to lifesaving medical care.
