A call has been made for the establishment of dedicated healthcare facilities to address the specialised medical needs of older persons in Kenya.
Naima Badhawi, representing Badhawi Hospital and the Mombasa Council of Elders, said older persons require an integrated approach to healthcare that recognises their unique and often complex needs.
Speaking during her presentation at the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) Conference 2026 at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), Badhawi proposed the establishment of dedicated hospitals equipped with specialised geriatric services.
She said such facilities should have geriatricians and other healthcare professionals trained to provide comprehensive care tailored to older persons.
According to Badhawi, integrating specialised geriatric care into the health system would help ensure that older persons receive appropriate attention at different stages of their healthcare journey.
She also emphasised the need for healthcare providers and policymakers to consider the changing needs of an ageing population when planning health services.
Her remarks came as stakeholders gathered at the IDOP Conference 2026 to discuss issues affecting older persons and explore ways of promoting their health, dignity, inclusion and wellbeing.
The proposed dedicated facilities would provide an opportunity to bring together specialised services under one roof while strengthening coordination of care for older patients.
Badhawi’s call highlights the growing need for health systems to adapt to the needs of older persons and ensure that ageing is accompanied by access to quality, dignified and person-centred healthcare.
By Fred Azelwa.