LAMU — Residents of Lamu are set to benefit from improved access to specialist healthcare following the expansion of telemedicine services at King Fahd Lamu County Referral Hospital.
The development places Lamu at the forefront of Kenya’s growing digital healthcare transformation, with the hospital receiving national recognition as an example of how technology can connect patients and local health professionals to specialist expertise without requiring lengthy travel.
King Fahd Referral Hospital was among two health facilities showcased during the Presidential Health Summit and town hall held in Nairobi. The other facility was Riruta Health Centre.
During the event, a live telemedicine connection linked the summit in Nairobi with King Fahd Referral Hospital in Lamu, demonstrating the hospital’s ability to access specialist medical advice in real time.
President William Ruto used the live connection to engage with Lamu Deputy Governor and County Executive for Health, Mbarak Bahjaj.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said telemedicine could help address some of the challenges faced by residents seeking specialised healthcare.
“Through real-time digital connectivity, healthcare professionals at King Fahd Referral Hospital can engage with specialist networks outside the county, exchange clinical information and obtain expert consultations without automatically requiring patients to travel hundreds of kilometres,” Timamy said.
Lamu faces unique healthcare challenges because of its islands, remote mainland settlements and communities living along the Kenya-Somalia border.
Long distances, poor road infrastructure in some areas and security challenges have made referral journeys difficult and costly for patients and their families.
Patients requiring specialist services have often had to travel to Mombasa or Nairobi, incurring transport and accommodation costs as well as spending additional time seeking treatment.
Bahjaj said telemedicine provides an opportunity to reduce this dependence by enabling healthcare workers in Lamu to access specialist expertise without necessarily transferring patients outside the county.
“This is not just about introducing new technology. It is about ensuring that the people of Lamu can access specialised healthcare regardless of where they live,” he said.
King Fahd Referral Hospital has continued to expand its diagnostic, surgical and specialist healthcare capacity, enabling it to provide medical interventions that previously required referrals outside the county.
Timamy said the county government would continue investing in digital infrastructure, medical equipment, specialist services and healthcare professionals to improve healthcare delivery.
“Our vision is to position Lamu as a digital hub for medical care, where technology connects our doctors and patients to specialist expertise wherever it is available,” he said.
The county government also plans to extend digital healthcare services to other facilities across the islands, mainland areas and border communities.
Lamu County Director for Disaster Risk Management and Peace Building, Shee Kupi, said innovation in public service delivery should be embraced across different sectors, including health, education, water, agriculture and disaster management.
However, expanding telemedicine will require sustained investment in reliable internet connectivity, modern equipment, skilled personnel and strong digital systems.
For Lamu, the technology offers more than a digital solution. It provides an opportunity to bring specialist healthcare closer to residents while reducing unnecessary referrals and costly journeys outside the county.
