GE launches Sh1.3b training institute for health workers

General Electric Health Africa and the government have launched a Sh1.3 billion Institute that will see health workers trained to handle modern health equipment to provide quality healthcare.

Speaking during the official opening of the General Electric Healthcare Skills and Training Institute in Nairobi, Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu said the Institute, funded by GE, will train Kenyan medics on the use of modern medical technologies to make world class treatment more accessible and affordable.

Mailu said the project that is being implemented in partnership with General Electric Health will see 10,000 health workers in the country and region trained in handling modern medical equipment.

“This flagship project of the government is very important because it addresses success, inequities across the counties and brings services that were accessed through the national referral system closer to the people,” he said.

General Electric Health CEO John Flannery said the training would help Kenyan medics better handle medical equipment recently leased for counties by the national government and installed in 74 hospitals.

“Skill building is the most critical piece in the future of Africa. We need to have qualified people to operate the machines and understand how to continue to build on our capabilities,” he said.

Under this project, GE will provide tele-radiology infrastructure and skills development in 94 county hospitals across the country and four national hospitals.