Kenya’s healthcare system faces ongoing challenges: insufficient infrastructure, overburdened public hospitals, and limited access to quality care in rural areas. As the country pursues Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as a promising model to fill these gaps by combining public oversight with private sector efficiency, innovation, and investment.
Leaders such as Jayesh Saini, founder of Lifecare Hospitals, Bliss Healthcare, and Dinlas Pharma, have been at the forefront of strategic partnerships with public institutions, expanding hospital infrastructure, increasing access to affordable treatment, and localizing pharmaceutical production.
This article explores the role of PPPs in transforming Kenya’s healthcare landscape, the challenges of implementation, and whether this model can offer a scalable solution to the country’s pressing health needs.
1. The Rationale Behind Public-Private Partnerships in Healthcare
1.1 Addressing Infrastructure Deficits
Kenya has approximately 1.6 hospital beds per 1,000 people, well below the WHO recommendation of 3 per 1,000. Most public facilities are overburdened, particularly in county hospitals where:
● Equipment is outdated or inadequate.
● Specialized care is often unavailable.
● Patient-to-doctor ratios remain high.
PPPs offer a means to:
● Build and equip new medical facilities, especially in underserved counties.
● Upgrade existing public hospitals through private capital and technical expertise.
● Accelerate project delivery through shared risk and performance-based contracts.
1.2 Leveraging Private Sector Strengths
The private sector brings:
● Operational efficiency
● Access to capital
● Technological innovation
● Workforce development programs
Hospitals like those under Lifecare Hospitals, led by Jayesh Saini, demonstrate how private healthcare providers can complement government efforts by offering specialized care and modern infrastructure, while also accepting NHIF-covered patients to promote affordability.
2. Case Study: PPPs in Action in Kenya
2.1 Lifecare Hospitals – Blending Access and Specialization
Lifecare Hospitals operates multiple facilities across Kenya with:
● Over 700 hospital beds (up from 50 in 2017).
● Advanced specialty care units in oncology, nephrology, cardiology, and psychiatry.
● Integration with NHIF, making high-quality care more accessible to insured Kenyans.
By expanding into counties with limited advanced medical infrastructure, Lifecare complements public systems while also relieving congestion in national referral hospitals.
2.2 Bliss Healthcare – Primary and Outpatient Care Model
Bliss Healthcare runs a network of outpatient centers, offering:
● Telemedicine and diagnostics
● Mental health and chronic disease management
● NHIF-accredited services in urban and peri-urban areas
This model supports the public sector by handling primary care needs efficiently, reducing the load on public hospitals and expanding health access through strategic private investment.
3. How PPPs Can Improve Affordability
3.1 Expanding NHIF-Covered Services in Private Facilities
One of the main criticisms of private healthcare is cost. However, PPPs enable:
● NHIF reimbursement models for private hospitals.
● Co-financing of treatment programs such as maternal care, dialysis, and oncology.
● Integration of private hospitals in UHC implementation frameworks.
Jayesh Saini’s institutions have been proactive in aligning private care offerings with public insurance schemes, allowing more Kenyans to access affordable treatment options.
3.2 Reducing Dependence on Imported Drugs
Through Dinlas Pharma, a local pharmaceutical manufacturing company:
● Over 140 million tablets and 25 million capsules are produced monthly.
● Medicines are distributed across every Kenyan county.
● Local manufacturing reduces treatment costs, strengthens supply chains, and supports national health security.
This PPP-linked model of local production for public distribution is essential to making care more affordable and sustainable.
4. Barriers to Effective PPP Implementation
While PPPs offer many benefits, several obstacles need to be addressed:
● Policy and regulatory inconsistencies across counties.
● Long procurement cycles that discourage private sector participation.
● Insufficient data sharing and transparency between public and private partners.
● Lack of incentives for private entities to serve low-income populations without insurance.
To unlock PPP potential, Kenya must develop clear legal frameworks, standard operating models, and performance-based contracting structures.
5. Policy Recommendations to Strengthen PPPs in Healthcare
Develop a national PPP policy tailored to health sector needs, including risk-sharing and contract enforcement mechanisms.
Incentivize private sector participation in rural and high-need areas through tax benefits, land grants, and faster licensing.
Expand NHIF coverage and reimbursement rates for private hospitals, ensuring fair pricing for patients and providers.
Create a PPP Health Fund to co-finance critical infrastructure projects across counties.
Promote data transparency and shared health information systems for smoother public-private coordination.
Conclusion
Public-Private Partnerships offer a viable and scalable solution to Kenya’s long-standing healthcare challenges—if they are designed, governed, and financed effectively. They have the potential to bridge infrastructure gaps, improve service quality, and promote equitable access to care.
Leaders like Jayesh Saini have already demonstrated how private institutions can align with public goals—from hospital expansions to local pharmaceutical manufacturing and digital health integration.
To move forward, Kenya must institutionalize PPP frameworks that reward efficiency, prioritize accessibility, and balance profit with public good. With the right approach, PPPs can become a cornerstone of Kenya’s journey toward a resilient, inclusive, and affordable healthcare system.
