SHA Accepting Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities in Lamu County
SHA Hospitals in Lamu County provide essential healthcare services to residents across this coastal region, ensuring comprehensive medical coverage under Kenya's Social Health Authority program. The healthcare landscape in Lamu County features a network of public, private, and faith-based facilities that cater to the diverse medical needs of the local population and visitors to this historic coastal destination.
Primary Healthcare Facilities
1. King Fahd Lamu County Referral Hospital
The flagship healthcare facility in the region, King Fahd Lamu County Referral Hospital stands as the premier medical institution serving the entire county. Formerly known as the the Lamu District Hospital, King Fahd Lamu County Referral Hospital is a level 5 ministry of health facility located in Mkomani ward, Lamu county next to the fisheries offices.
Location: Mkomani Ward, Lamu Town
Postal Address: P.O. Box 45-80500, Lamu, Kenya
Level: Level 5 Referral Hospital
Services: Specialized services including dialysis, surgical operations, modern radiological services, ENT, and ophthalmic care
The hospital has recently undergone significant upgrades with the newly launched oxygen plant at King Fahd County Referral Hospital in Lamu County launched by Health CS Aden Duale on July 3, 2025. Additionally, Medical firm Sunview Medipro International has installed a 128-slice CT scan machine in Lamu County at the King Fahd Lamu County Referral Hospital, an upgrade from the current 64-slice.
2. Lamu Sub County Hospital
Located in Shela, this facility serves as a crucial healthcare provider for the local community and surrounding areas. The hospital operates as a public healthcare institution under the County Government of Lamu.
Location: Shela, Lamu County
Type: Public Hospital
Contact: 020-2682093
Services: General medical services, outpatient care, and emergency services
"The integration of advanced medical technology in SHA Hospitals in Lamu represents a significant milestone in improving healthcare access for coastal communities, particularly those in remote island locations."
Sub-County Healthcare Facilities
3. Faza Sub-County Hospital
This facility serves the northern part of Lamu County, providing essential healthcare services to residents in the Faza area and surrounding communities.
Location: Faza, Lamu County
Type: Public Sub-County Hospital
Contact: 020-2682093
Services: Primary healthcare, maternal and child health services, and basic emergency care
4. Mpeketoni Hospital
Strategically located to serve the mainland population of Lamu County, Mpeketoni Hospital plays a vital role in the county's healthcare delivery system.
Location: Mpeketoni, Lamu County
Type: Public Hospital
Services: Maternal and child health services, general medical care, and outpatient services
The hospital has benefited from significant investments, with Safaricom Foundation renovated and equipped the High Dependency and Newborn Units at the King Fahad Hospital and equipped the Maternal and Child Health Unit at Mpeketoni Hospital at a cost of KES18.8 million
"Healthcare accessibility in SHA Hospitals in Lamu has been significantly enhanced through strategic partnerships between government and private sector organizations, ensuring quality medical care reaches even the most remote communities."
Private Healthcare Providers
5. Lamu Medical Centre
A private healthcare facility that complements public services by providing specialized medical care and diagnostic services.
Location: Lamu Town
Type: Private Medical Centre
Services: Specialized consultations, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory services
6. Lamu Nursing Home
This private facility focuses on providing quality healthcare services with a more personalized approach to patient care.
Location: Lamu Town
Type: Private Nursing Home
Services: Inpatient care, specialized nursing services, and rehabilitation
Faith-Based Healthcare Facilities
7. Lamu Islamic Medical Centre
A faith-based healthcare facility that serves the predominantly Muslim population of Lamu County while maintaining high medical standards.
Location: Lamu Town
Type: Faith-Based Medical Centre
Services: General medical care, Islamic medical practices integration, and community health programs
8. Lamu Catholic Dispensary
This facility provides basic healthcare services to the local community, focusing on primary healthcare delivery.
Location: Lamu Town
Type: Faith-Based Dispensary
Services: Basic medical care, health education, and preventive healthcare services
"The diversity of SHA Hospitals in Lamu ensures that residents have access to culturally appropriate healthcare services while maintaining the highest standards of medical care."
Specialized Healthcare Services
9. Lamu Maternity Hospital
A specialized facility dedicated to maternal and child healthcare, addressing the specific needs of women and children in the county.
Location: Lamu Town
Type: Specialized Maternity Hospital
Services: Antenatal care, delivery services, postnatal care, and pediatric services
10. Lamu Eye Clinic
This specialized facility addresses the growing need for eye care services in the region.
Location: Lamu Town
Type: Specialized Eye Clinic
Services: Comprehensive eye examinations, cataract surgery, and vision correction services
Primary Healthcare Networks
The SHA Hospitals in Lamu network includes numerous dispensaries and health centers distributed across the county's various islands and mainland areas. These facilities form the backbone of primary healthcare delivery, ensuring that basic medical services are accessible to all residents regardless of their location.
Community Health Centers
- Hongwe Health Centre - Serving the Hongwe area
- Kiunga Health Centre - Located in the northern part of the county
- Witu Health Centre - Serving the mainland population
- Mokowe Health Centre - Providing services to the Mokowe area
Rural Dispensaries
The county operates several rural dispensaries that provide basic healthcare services to remote communities:
- Kiwayu Dispensary
- Kizingitini Dispensary
- Matondoni Dispensary
- Shanga Dispensary
"The strategic distribution of SHA Hospitals in Lamu across both island and mainland locations ensures comprehensive healthcare coverage for all residents, from urban centers to remote villages."
Emergency and Specialized Services
Ambulance Services
The county operates a network of ambulance services that connect the various healthcare facilities, including specialized boat ambulances for inter-island medical emergencies.
Referral System
SHA Hospitals in Lamu operate under a well-structured referral system where patients requiring specialized care are transferred from lower-level facilities to King Fahd Lamu County Referral Hospital or, when necessary, to specialized facilities in Mombasa or Nairobi.
24/7 Emergency Services
Several facilities in the SHA Hospitals in Lamu network provide round-the-clock emergency services, ensuring that critical medical situations are addressed promptly.
Healthcare Challenges and Solutions
Geographic Challenges
The unique geography of Lamu County, with its numerous islands and coastal communities, presents significant challenges for healthcare delivery. The hospitals that seeks referral services are spread out across the Indian Ocean at varying distances. The challenge lies in access to health services whereby boats are either not easily accessible to some residents
Infrastructure Development
Recent investments in healthcare infrastructure have significantly improved the quality of services available at SHA Hospitals in Lamu. The installation of modern medical equipment, including advanced CT scanners and oxygen plants, has enhanced the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of these facilities.
Maternal Healthcare
Lamu County is one of the counties with a high maternal mortality rate with 676 deaths per 100, 000 live births accounting for over 60% of maternal deaths along with 15 other counties. This has led to targeted interventions to improve maternal healthcare services across all SHA Hospitals in Lamu.
"The transformation of SHA Hospitals in Lamu through modern equipment installation and infrastructure development demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring equitable healthcare access for all Kenyans, regardless of their geographic location."
Future Healthcare Developments
The healthcare sector in Lamu County continues to evolve with ongoing projects aimed at expanding and improving medical services. Plans include the establishment of additional specialized units, enhancement of telemedicine capabilities, and the development of more efficient inter-facility transport systems.
The SHA Hospitals in Lamu network is also focusing on capacity building through training programs for healthcare workers and the implementation of advanced medical technologies to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Through strategic partnerships with organizations like the Safaricom Foundation and international medical equipment suppliers, the county continues to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that residents have access to quality medical care comparable to that available in major urban centers.
The commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Lamu County reflects the broader national goal of achieving universal healthcare coverage, with SHA Hospitals in Lamu serving as a model for healthcare delivery in challenging geographic environments.