West Pokot County has received its first ever state-of-art CT scan machine under the National Equipment Service Program (NESP), through the Taifa Care Initiative, following its launch by President Dr. William Samoei Ruto at State House, Nairobi on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
The 128-slice CT scan machine was delivered to the county by a delegation from the Executive Office of the President, led by Dr. Wilson Aruasa, Health Advisor at the President’s Council of Economic Advisors and former CEO of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).
Speaking during the delivery of the equipment, Dr. Aruasa described the moment as historic to West Pokot, noting that this is the first CT scan machine the county has installed since independence.
“This is a major milestone, not just for West Pokot but for the country’s healthcare system. We are satisfied with the progress in this county, where development is clearly bottom-up and citizens-centered,” Dr. Aruasa said.
He explained that their visit focused on assessing the county’s implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly in the areas of health, agriculture, cooperatives, Medium Small & Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) and financial inclusion.
Dr. Aruasa explained that the National Equipment Service Program (NESP) is a new initiative replacing the previous Managed Equipment Service (MES) Program.
He said NESP involves the supply of 23 lots of medical equipment to counties at no upfront cost.
“This is a fee-for –service (FFS) model. Equipment such as CT scan, MRIs, and ultrasound machines will be supplied directly from manufacturers, and counties will share revenue with vendors based on service use. Counties do not need to pay even a shilling to purchase the machines,” he said.
He said West Pokot is among 25 counties that have already received medical equipment under the program, with other counties scheduled to receive theirs.
Dr. Aruasa also addressed the new healthcare financing framework under the Social Health Authority (SHA), commending the West Pokot County Government for enrolling 127,000 people under SHA, including 4,000 new registrations in recent days through a rapid result initiative.
He went on, “We’ve seen that SHA is working. Facilities like Kapenguria County Referral Hospital which used to earn Sh3 million monthly, are now receiving Sh15 million, all thanks to SHA.
Nationally, SHA has paid out about Sh60 billion since inception on 1st October,2024, three times more than NHIF would over a similar period.”
He encouraged private and faith-based hospitals to accept and serve SHA patients, assuring that there are feedback mechanisms in place for resolving any emerging issues.
He acknowledged that challenges such as lack of ID cards among pregnant teenagers, and implementation of the ‘‘one-bed, one patient’’ policy, are being addressed.
Dr. Aruasa lauded the increase in bed capacity at health facilities in West Pokot and emphasized the need for other counties to invest in infrastructure, equipment, commodities, and human resources.
He also praised the county for maintaining good labour relations with healthcare workers, noting that most staff are satisfied and motivated, with a low intention to quit (ITQ).
“We met with staff and the executive. The leadership listens, invests in training, recognizes staff efforts, and supports professional growth. That’s what makes staff feel motivated hence robustly sustaining health systems,” he said.
He said the new CT scan machine is ready for installation, training, and commissioning. He further said the building to house wards and radiology is expected to be completed in 3-4 months, after which it can be officially commissioned.
Dr. Aruasa urged other counties to emulate West Pokot in improving quality healthcare delivery through partnerships like the National Equipment Service Program with Ministry of Health and even international partners where possible and applicable.
In his remarks, Dr. Jacob Ruto, Pokot County Director of Health, confirmed that 30% of referrals to the county referral hospital currently are due to lack of CT scan and MRI services.
“With the arrival of this CT scan, we will now be able to diagnose patients promptly and reduce referrals outside the county. This is a great milestone,” Dr. Rutto said.
He added that once the equipment for radiology is installed in the building under construction and which is expected to be completed very soon, it will significantly enhance service delivery in the county.
Dr. Rutto expressed gratitude to the President and the national government and confirmed that the county was eagerly waiting for more medical equipment under the NESP.
By Anthony Melly
