Residents of Wajir County could soon access specialized healthcare services closer to home following the launch of construction of the Baitulmaal Level 4 Not-for-Profit Hospital, a project expected to reduce the need for patients to travel long distances in search of treatment.
The hospital, whose construction officially began this week, is a joint initiative between the Wajir County Government and Baitulmaal Kenya and is expected to strengthen healthcare access for thousands of residents across the county.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Wajir County Executive Committee Member for Health Habiba Ali said the facility will provide inpatient and outpatient services, emergency care, maternal and child health services, and selected specialist clinics.
“This project is about ensuring that our people can access quality healthcare services within their county,” Habiba said, adding that healthcare remains a fundamental right.
According to Habiba, Wajir County currently operates 178 health facilities across its 15 sub-counties, with Wajir Town alone hosting 20 health facilities, including a Level 5 referral hospital and a Level 4 hospital.
She noted that the new facility will complement existing public healthcare services while helping to ease pressure on referral hospitals.
Baitulmaal Kenya Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ugas Sheikh Mohammed said the hospital is expected to become one of the organization’s most impactful projects in the region.
“Our goal is to establish a facility capable of delivering quality, affordable and specialized healthcare,” Ugas said.
He added that the hospital plans to host specialist doctors from different countries through outreach programmes, enabling patients to access advanced treatment without travelling outside Wajir County.
Baitulmaal International Chief Executive Officer Mazen Mokhtar said access to healthcare remains one of the greatest challenges facing many communities and expressed confidence that the facility would significantly improve health outcomes.
“This hospital will allow residents to receive treatment closer to home, reduce waiting times and lower the cost of accessing medical care,” Mokhtar said.
Once completed, the Baitulmaal Level 4 Not-for-Profit Hospital is expected to strengthen Wajir’s referral system and expand access to affordable healthcare services for the county’s growing population.
