How Private Facilities Are Expanding Access to Healthcare

Kenya’s healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, with private hospitals playing a crucial role in expanding access to quality medical services. As public healthcare facilities struggle with overcrowding, resource shortages, and long wait times, private healthcare providers have stepped in to bridge the gap.

Among the key players in Kenya’s private healthcare sector is Jayesh Saini, the visionary behind Lifecare Hospitals and Bliss Healthcare, which have significantly improved access to specialized and general healthcare services across Kenya.

This article examines the growing role of private hospitals in Kenya, their impact on healthcare accessibility, and how they are shaping the future of medical care in the country.

The Need for Private Hospitals in Kenya

Despite efforts to strengthen public healthcare, Kenya faces several healthcare challenges, including:

• Overcrowding in public hospitals, leading to longer wait times and inadequate patient care.
• Shortages of specialized medical services, requiring patients to travel long distances for treatment.
• Limited hospital bed capacity, with Kenya having only 1.6 beds per 1,000 people as of 2019.
• A growing population and increasing disease burden, requiring more medical infrastructure and trained professionals.

To address these challenges, private hospitals have expanded across Kenya, offering quality medical services, faster patient turnaround times, and cutting-edge treatment options.

How Private Hospitals Are Expanding Healthcare Access in Kenya

1. Infrastructure Growth & Hospital Expansion

Private hospitals have rapidly expanded their presence, ensuring that high-quality medical services reach more Kenyans.

• Lifecare Hospitals, led by Jayesh Saini, has grown from one facility to seven hospitals in just seven years.
• These hospitals have increased bed capacity by over 400%, from 50 beds in 2017 to 700 beds in 2025.
• New hospitals are being set up in underserved regions, reducing the need for medical travel to Nairobi or abroad.

This expansion has directly contributed to improving healthcare accessibility, particularly for specialized treatments.

2. Specialized Care & Advanced Medical Technology

Private hospitals are leading in specialized medical services, offering treatments that were previously unavailable or unaffordable to many Kenyans.

Lifecare Hospitals’ Specialized Medical Services

• Cardiology & Heart Care – Advanced heart disease management, ECG, and interventional cardiology.
• Oncology & Cancer Treatment – Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and early cancer screening.
• Neurology & Orthopedics – Treatments for stroke, spine injuries, and joint replacement surgeries.
• Maternal & Neonatal Care – NICU units and high-risk pregnancy management, reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

Private hospitals like Lifecare Hospitals continue to invest in modern medical technologies, ensuring better patient outcomes through AI-powered diagnostics, robotic surgeries, and electronic health records.

3. Reducing Treatment Costs & Increasing Affordability

One of the main criticisms of private hospitals has been high treatment costs, but new pricing models and insurance partnerships have made private healthcare more affordable.

• Lifecare Hospitals and Bliss Healthcare have partnered with NHIF and private insurance providers, allowing more Kenyans to access affordable quality healthcare.
• Telemedicine adoption has reduced consultation costs, with 20% of patients now using telemedicine for follow-ups instead of in-person visits.
• Health financing options and payment plans help patients cover major surgeries and specialized treatments.

Through these initiatives, private hospitals are ensuring that advanced medical care is not just for the wealthy but accessible to a larger population.

4. Job Creation & Workforce Development in Healthcare

The expansion of private hospitals has created thousands of jobs in Kenya, strengthening the healthcare sector.

• Over 3,000 jobs have been created through Jayesh Saini’s healthcare initiatives, including positions for doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and hospital administrators.
• More training programs have been introduced to develop a skilled workforce, ensuring better healthcare service delivery.

These efforts are not only improving patient care but also contributing to Kenya’s economic growth.

The Future of Private Healthcare in Kenya

With continuous growth in population, urbanization, and demand for specialized care, private hospitals will continue to play a critical role in Kenya’s healthcare system.

Key Trends Shaping the Future of Private Hospitals

1. Digital Healthcare Transformation

• More hospitals will adopt telemedicine, AI-powered diagnostics, and electronic health records, improving patient experience.
• Lifecare Hospitals is already at the forefront of AI-driven healthcare innovations, helping improve early disease detection and treatment planning.

2. Expansion of Specialized Treatment Centers

• There will be more specialized hospitals for oncology, cardiology, and organ transplants, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.
• Lifecare Hospitals has introduced advanced nephrology and renal care services, addressing the growing demand for kidney treatments.

3. Increased Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)

• More collaborations between private hospitals and government agencies to expand healthcare access, reduce costs, and improve infrastructure.
• Insurance coverage expansion, allowing more Kenyans to afford private healthcare services.

With these advancements, private hospitals will continue to shape the future of healthcare in Kenya, improving patient care and expanding medical access.

Conclusion: Private Hospitals Are Driving Kenya’s Healthcare Growth

Kenya’s healthcare transformation is being driven by private hospitals, which are expanding infrastructure, introducing advanced medical services, and making specialized care more accessible.

Jayesh Saini and Lifecare Hospitals have played a crucial role in this evolution, ensuring that more Kenyans have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.

With new hospital expansions, digital healthcare innovations, and public-private partnerships, private healthcare providers will continue shaping Kenya’s medical landscape, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is Jayesh Saini?

Jayesh Saini is a healthcare entrepreneur and the founder of Lifecare Hospitals and Bliss Healthcare, which have expanded healthcare access across Kenya through hospital growth and specialized medical services.

How are private hospitals improving healthcare in Kenya?

Private hospitals have:

• Expanded hospital infrastructure to serve more patients.
• Introduced specialized treatments like cardiology, oncology, and neonatal care.
• Lowered treatment costs through NHIF partnerships and insurance collaborations.

What role has Lifecare Hospitals played in expanding healthcare access?

Lifecare Hospitals has:

• Grown from one hospital to seven hospitals in Kenya.
• Increased bed capacity from 50 in 2017 to 700 in 2025.
• Introduced telemedicine and AI-driven diagnostics, improving medical access in rural areas.

What is the future of private hospitals in Kenya?

The future of private healthcare in Kenya will focus on:

• Expanding digital healthcare solutions (telemedicine, AI, and remote patient monitoring).
• Opening more specialized hospitals and treatment centers.
• Increasing public-private partnerships to ensure affordability.