In August 2023, a groundbreaking effort by Kenya’s Ministry of Health and the Centre for Epidemiological Modeling and Analysis (CEMA) set out to make health facilitydata more accessible. The effort gave birth to a game changer in Kenya’s public health sector, by developing an interactive Health Facility Readiness Dashboard that puts vital information about health services right at the fingertips of the policymakers.
This dashboard is designed to make health information clear and accessible, to empower policymakers to make informed decisions and work towards a healthier future for all. The Dashboard is a web-based, user-friendly tool.
Brian Njuguna, a researcher at CEMA and a central figure in the development of this dashboard, reveals its wide-ranging impact on Kenya's health system.
Brian Njuguna, Data Science Research assistant.
“We aimed to map health services across Kenya, cataloging the availability and readiness of health facilities. This includes everything from basic primary care to specialized services like cardiology and chemotherapy,” Njuguna shares. The dashboard fulfills three main objectives: providing a comprehensive database of Kenya’s health facilities, displaying their readiness to deliver specific services, and identifying service gaps that call for targeted improvements.
Data-Driven Insights
The dashboard is invaluable for decision-makers, who can assess regional healthcare landscapes at a glance. Through an intuitive, interactive interface, policymakers can select a county to view facilities offering specific services. By filtering data to display readiness levels, they gain critical insights into facility capabilities and equipment shortages, enabling data-driven resource allocation.
Health Facility Readiness Dashboard
“This shift to data-driven decisions allows policymakers to maximize our limited resources,” says Njuguna. “Instead of spreading resources thin, they can see exactly where to invest—whether it's in personnel, equipment, or infrastructure—to make the most meaningful improvements.”
The dashboard further clarifies facility readiness by showing why some locations fall short of 100% readiness. For instance, it highlights missing equipment or personnel. This will empower health administrators to bridge these gaps efficiently. “It’s not just about what facilities offer but whether they’re truly prepared to deliver quality care,” Njuguna notes.
A Tool for the People
With a few clicks, individuals can pinpoint the nearest facility offering the services they need to assess, such as chemotherapy or specialized surgeries, says Njuguna. “You can locate a facility offering the service you need, assess its readiness, and even see infrastructure details. It removes guesswork and helps stakeholders make informed health decisions.”
Heath Facility Census Dashboard Home page
The platform’s user-friendly interface ensures accessibility for all, regardless of technical background. Step-by-step guidance leads users through options to select regions, filter by service type, and view comprehensive summaries. For instance, clicking on “Specialized Services” displays all relevant healthcare offerings, while county-specific maps show the distribution and readiness of local facilities, making it accessible to anyone needing information quickly and easily.
While the dashboard is already proving invaluable, Njuguna acknowledges that the journey is far from over. “We see it as a work in progress,” he explains. “We’re improving visualization and adding more information. As healthcare evolves, so will the dashboard, incorporating new data and adapting to meet emerging needs.”
Future updates will continue to refine visual elements and expand available data, ensuring the tool remains relevant and responsive to Kenya’s dynamic healthcare landscape. As a publicly accessible platform, the dashboard’s link can be found in the Kenya Health Facility Census Report, available online through the Ministry of Health's website.
The Kenya Health Facility Dashboard is figurative of a broader shift towards transparency, accessibility, and evidence-based policymaking. For Njuguna, this project offered a window into the complexities of Kenya’s health system, broadening his own understanding of healthcare provision.
“With this tool, we’re not only creating a resource but setting the stage for a health system that is proactive, responsive, and accessible,” he says.
