The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) is co-financing the construction and equipping of a burns management centre (78 bed wing) and Paediatric Emergency Centre (84 bed wing) to the tune of 480 million shillings($4.9 million) at the region’s largest referral hospital in Nairobi, Kenyatta National Hospital.

The completion of the project will enhance treatment care for burns and emergency services for children. The projects are expected to commence later this financial year (2010/2011).

This was disclosed after Director-General of the Bank, Abdell Aziz Khelef paid a visit to the hospital on Monday and later held talks with the management of the hospital where they discussed opportunities for partnership.

BADEA is a financial institution funded by the Governments of the Member States of the League of Arab States.

The planned project is part of the Ministry of Medical Services agenda in partnering with development partners in providing quality medical services to Kenyans in line with Vision 2030 and Midterm Strategic Plan 2008-2012.

Kenyatta National Hospital is the largest referral hospital in East and Central Africa.

Joseph Kimani