Hospitals across Kenya are grappling with a surge in road traffic injuries that is putting unprecedented pressure on emergency and trauma units. At Coast General Hospital, for example, 747 of the 900 annual admissions in its orthopedic ward are linked to road crashes — a stark indication of how deeply road carnage is taxing the health system.
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Researchers from Kenyatta National Hospital also report that nearly half of emergency‑department admissions for trauma originate from road accidents, further intensifying the burden on already strained services.
The Star
The financial and hospital resource cost is equally alarming. According to a report by Health Business, road traffic injuries cost Kenya an estimated KSh 46.1 billion annually, as many crash victims require long-term care, surgery, and rehabilitation.
Health Business
Hospitals are not just treating large volumes — they’re handling complex polytrauma cases, including head injuries, multiple fractures, and critical care needs.
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In response, the government is scaling up emergency-response infrastructure. A second accident-response centre was recently launched along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway in Naivasha to provide rapid first aid, stabilize victims, and support hospital evacuations.
Kenya News
But experts say these efforts must be matched with broader road-safety reforms — including safer road design, stricter enforcement, and better funding for trauma care — to stem the tide of injuries.
The Star
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Looking ahead, health planners are calling for a more integrated approach: building more trauma centres, training emergency medical personnel, and linking road‑safety strategies with health system planning.
The Star
Without such systemic changes, experts warn, Kenya’s hospitals will continue to struggle under the dual burden of crash survivors and other emergency‑care demands.