Embu County, located in Kenya’s Eastern Region, is advancing toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in October 2024. SHA collaborates with private, public, and faith-based healthcare facilities to deliver affordable, high-quality medical services under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). This SEO-optimized article provides a detailed guide to the 123 SHA-licensed private hospitals and medical facilities in Embu County, their levels of care, and how residents can access these services.
Understanding the Social Health Authority (SHA)
The Social Health Authority (SHA) is Kenya’s national healthcare initiative, designed to ensure equitable and affordable healthcare for all citizens. Administered by the Ministry of Health, SHA contracts facilities licensed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to provide services, including:
- Primary healthcare
- Outpatient and inpatient treatment
- Maternity and reproductive health
- Diagnostic services (laboratory, radiology, dental, eye care)
- Specialized care (e.g., minor surgeries, cancer treatment, physiotherapy)
In Embu County, SHA has partnered with 123 private healthcare facilities, ranging from Level 2 clinics to Level 5 hospitals. Residents can register for SHA via the official website (sha.go.ke), USSD codes, or assisted enrollment centers to access SHIF-funded services.
Benefits of Choosing SHA Licensed Private Hospitals in Embu
Private healthcare facilities in Embu offer advantages such as personalized care, reduced waiting times, and advanced medical equipment. Opting for SHA-licensed facilities provides:
- Cost-Effective Care: SHIF covers a significant portion of medical costs, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.
- Quality Standards: All SHA-contracted facilities meet KMPDC licensing requirements, ensuring reliable care.
- Diverse Services: From dental and eye care to specialized treatments, these facilities address varied healthcare needs.
- Geographical Reach: Facilities are spread across Embu, including urban hubs like Embu Town and rural areas like Kiritiri and Runyenjes.
This guide lists all 123 SHA-licensed private healthcare facilities in Embu, categorized by level and type, to help residents make informed healthcare decisions.
Full List of SHA Licensed Private Hospitals and Clinics in Embu County
Below is the comprehensive list of 123 SHA-licensed private healthcare facilities in Embu County as of 2025, based on data from the Ministry of Health and SHA resources. Facilities are grouped by level of care for easy reference.
Level 5 Hospital
Level 5 hospitals provide advanced inpatient and outpatient services, including specialized surgeries, diagnostics, and referral care.
- Embu Children Hospital (Reg. No. 6876)
- Location: Embu Town
- Services: Pediatric care, surgery, diagnostics, inpatient care
Level 4 Hospitals
Level 4 hospitals offer comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, including surgery, maternity, and specialized care.
- Acef Ena Health Centre (Reg. No. 1628)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Maternity, surgery, diagnostics
- County Medical Centre Embu Ltd (Reg. No. 2537)
- Location: Embu Town
- Services: General medicine, obstetrics, diagnostics
- Embu Children’s Clinic (Reg. No. 2538)
- Location: Embu Town
- Services: Pediatric care, outpatient services
- Frevane Hospital (Reg. No. 16079)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Emergency care, maternity, laboratory
- Kimathi Medical Services Karaba (Reg. No. 17756)
- Location: Karaba
- Services: Surgery, diagnostics, inpatient care
- Wamumu Hospital Ltd (Reg. No. 18209)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Comprehensive care, maternity
- Imara Hospital Embu (Reg. No. 19531)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Surgery, diagnostics, internship training
- Neema Universal Health Care Limited – Embu Town (Reg. No. 20828)
- Location: Embu Town
- Services: Comprehensive care, diagnostics
Level 3B Nursing Homes
Level 3B nursing homes provide intermediate care, including basic inpatient services and maternity.
- Joykim Nursing Home (Reg. No. 5)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Maternity, general consultations
- St. Michael Nursing Home (Reg. No. 149)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Nursing care, inpatient services
- Liberty Maternity and Nursing Home (Reg. No. 999)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Maternity, outpatient care
- Queens & Kings Health Centre (Reg. No. 2291)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Maternity, diagnostics
- Potters Family Hospital (Reg. No. 7263)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Nursing care, maternity
- Kiritiri Medical Healthcare Ltd (Reg. No. 14908)
- Location: Kiritiri
- Services: Inpatient care, consultations
- Imara Hospital (Reg. No. 15246)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Maternity, nursing care
- St. Jude Medical Care (Reg. No. 16200)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Inpatient care, diagnostics
- Cynerd Healthcare Group Limited (Reg. No. 19167)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Nursing care, consultations
- Serenity Homes Rehabilitation and Counselling Center Limited (Reg. No. 19351)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Rehabilitation, mental health care
- Karurumo Medical Centre Ltd (Reg. No. 20038)
- Location: Karurumo
- Services: Maternity, inpatient care
Level 3A Medical Centres
Level 3A medical centres focus on outpatient services, diagnostics, and limited inpatient care.
- The Aga Khan University Hospital Embu Clinic (Reg. No. 3234)
- Location: Embu Town
- Services: Outpatient care, diagnostics, pharmacy
- Focus Clinical and Diagnostic Centre Ltd Embu (Reg. No. 4095)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Radiology, laboratory, consultations
- Kings Care Medical Limited (Reg. No. 4405)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Outpatient services, diagnostics
- Kianjokoma Pure Medicare Hospital (Reg. No. 5042)
- Location: Kianjokoma
- Services: General medicine, diagnostics
- Yunasi Medical Centre (Reg. No. 5731)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Consultations, laboratory
- Focus Clinical and Diagnostic Centre Ltd Ishiara (Reg. No. 5737)
- Location: Ishiara
- Services: Diagnostics, outpatient care
- Whiterose Medical Centre Gategi Satellite (Reg. No. 6499)
- Location: Gategi
- Services: Primary care, diagnostics
- Mama Karen Medical Care Clinic Kiritiri (Reg. No. 7316)
- Location: Kiritiri
- Services: Outpatient services, pharmacy
- Greenspan Medical Centre (Reg. No. 7572)
- Location: Embu
- Services: General medicine, diagnostics
- Smart Smile Dental Center (Reg. No. 15074)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Dental care, diagnostics
- Embu Medical Centre (Reg. No. 15213)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Outpatient care, laboratory
- Hunter Medical Centre Runyenjes (Reg. No. 15425)
- Location: Runyenjes
- Services: Consultations, diagnostics
- Visionners Medical Centre (Reg. No. 15444)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Primary care, diagnostics
- Chest and Skin Clinic (Reg. No. 15497)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Specialized consultations, diagnostics
- Kianjokoma Muungano Community Cottage Hospital (Reg. No. 16023)
- Location: Kianjokoma
- Services: Maternity, outpatient care
- Precious Hospital (Reg. No. 16652)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Diagnostics, consultations
- Mount Hermon Medical Centre (Reg. No. 17066)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Outpatient services, laboratory
- Maina Campel Medical Centre (Reg. No. 17113)
- Location: Embu
- Services: General medicine, diagnostics
- Granton & Dolly Nursing Home Limited (Reg. No. 17607)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Maternity, diagnostics
- Kiambere Medical Healthcare Limited (Reg. No. 17863)
- Location: Kiambere
- Services: Outpatient care, diagnostics
- Nairobi Radiotherapy & Cancer Centre Limited – Embu (Reg. No. 17962)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Cancer care, radiotherapy
- Valley View Medical Specialist and Diagnostic Embu Limited (Reg. No. 18516)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Specialized diagnostics, consultations
- Equity Afia Medical Centre Embu (Reg. No. 19635)
- Location: Embu Town
- Services: Primary care, diagnostics
- Familybliss Medical Centre Limited (Reg. No. 19300)
- Location: Embu
- Services: Family planning, outpatient care
Level 2 Medical Clinics
Level 2 clinics provide primary care, including consultations, minor treatments, and referrals.
- St. Teresa CFW Clinic (Reg. No. 1966)
- Location: Embu
- Faith CFW Clinic (Reg. No. 1968)
- Location: Embu
- Afya Line CFW Clinic (Reg. No. 1970)
- Location: Embu
- Joy CFW Clinic (Reg. No. 2019)
- Location: Embu
- Patience CFW Clinic (Reg. No. 2023)
- Location: Embu
- Mwea Dental Clinic (Reg. No. 2270)
- Location: Mwea
- Jetma Clinic (Reg. No. 2746)
- Location: Embu
- Promise CFW Clinic (Reg. No. 2972)
- Location: Embu
- Cfw Mbuvore Clinic (Reg. No. 3060)
- Location: Mbuvore
- Kimangaru CFW Clinic (Reg. No. 3162)
- Location: Kimangaru
- Kavutiri CFW Clinic (Reg. No. 3577)
- Location: Kavutiri
- Huruma CFW Clinic (Reg. No. 3612)
- Location: Embu
- Utugi CFW Clinic (Reg. No. 4172)
- Location: Utugi
- Karaba Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 5020)
- Location: Karaba
- Outspan Hospital Embu Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 5809)
- Location: Embu
- Eastend Dental Clinic Limited (Reg. No. 5822)
- Location: Embu
- Bliss Healthcare Limited Embu (Reg. No. 6263)
- Location: Embu
- Optident Dental Care (Reg. No. 8042)
- Location: Embu
- Makutano Family Healthcare Services (Reg. No. 8056)
- Location: Embu
- Kirimara Opticals Ltd Embu (Reg. No. 12273)
- Location: Embu Town
- Hopewell Clinic Kianjokoma (Reg. No. 14706)
- Location: Kianjokoma
- Odicare Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 14772)
- Location: Embu
- Angel Care Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 14773)
- Location: Embu
- Embu Tumaini Medical Services (Reg. No. 14977)
- Location: Embu
- Elimundani Health Care Kiritiri (Reg. No. 14984)
- Location: Kiritiri
- Embu Children Hospital Tenri Makima (Reg. No. 15053)
- Location: Makima
- Embu Medical and Dental Clinic (Reg. No. 15086)
- Location: Embu
- Siakago Health Care Clinic (Reg. No. 15142)
- Location: Siakago
- Shanwes Med Care (Reg. No. 15306)
- Location: Embu
- Mt Kenya Heart and Diabetes Centre (Reg. No. 15409)
- Location: Embu
- Murithi Metho Optometrist (Reg. No. 15632)
- Location: Embu
- Pure Medcare Clinic (Reg. No. 15796)
- Location: Embu
- Mercy Medical Clinic – Embu (Reg. No. 16136)
- Location: Embu
- Mariari Ebenzer Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 17191)
- Location: Embu
- Edith Mercy Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 17197)
- Location: Embu
- Amaze Dental Limited (Reg. No. 17260)
- Location: Embu
- Highrise Health Care Services (Reg. No. 17325)
- Location: Embu
- Greensprings Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 17382)
- Location: Embu
- Royal Smiles Dental Clinic Embu (Reg. No. 17565)
- Location: Embu
- Kirimara Opticals Ltd – Embu Town (Reg. No. 17839)
- Location: Embu Town
- Eastend Eye Centre (Reg. No. 17912)
- Location: Embu
- Patocare Medical Centre (Reg. No. 18262)
- Location: Embu
- Crest Care Hospital Limited – Clinic (Reg. No. 18293)
- Location: Embu
- Tumaini Medical Centre Rwika (Reg. No. 18545)
- Location: Rwika
- Carlmax Apex Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 18553)
- Location: Embu
- Modan Care Medical Centre (Reg. No. 18932)
- Location: Embu
- Mbuvori Prime Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 19144)
- Location: Mbuvori
- Marini-Medical Centre Ltd (Reg. No. 19154)
- Location: Embu
- Eleazer Medical Centre (Reg. No. 19192)
- Location: Embu
- Magnificent Medical Centre (Reg. No. 19221)
- Location: Embu
- Pena Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 19295)
- Location: Embu
- Baraka Ciangera Clinic (Reg. No. 19370)
- Location: Embu
- Pleroma Medical Centre (Reg. No. 19455)
- Location: Embu
- Vicoptic Eyeclinic Limited (Reg. No. 19467)
- Location: Embu
- Pharmlex Medical Centre Limited (Reg. No. 19502)
- Location: Embu
- Loyalty Hope Clinic (Reg. No. 19671)
- Location: Embu
- Executive Care Hospital (Reg. No. 19689)
- Location: Embu
- Optident Dental Care Limited (Reg. No. 19772)
- Location: Embu
- Jorodan Primary Health Care (Reg. No. 19783)
- Location: Embu
- Kimline Medical Center (Reg. No. 19786)
- Location: Embu
- Embu Premier Physicians Limited (Reg. No. 19860)
- Location: Embu
- Ziada Healthcare Limited (Reg. No. 19868)
- Location: Embu
- The Paradox Hospitals (Reg. No. 19880)
- Location: Embu
- Forealtors Hospital Ltd (Reg. No. 20023)
- Location: Embu
- Nicecare Medical Centre – Kiritiri (Reg. No. 20065)
- Location: Kiritiri
- Walter Medical and Dental Care (Reg. No. 20095)
- Location: Embu
- Framary Medical Centre (Reg. No. 20235)
- Location: Embu
- Ericare Medical and Physiotherapy Services (Reg. No. 20278)
- Location: Embu
- Carsam Medical Centre (Reg. No. 20298)
- Location: Embu
- Waliana Medical Centre Limited (Reg. No. 20320)
- Location: Embu
- Ndwiga’s Diagnostic Laboratories & Clinic (Reg. No. 20371)
- Location: Embu
- Emmanuel Meka Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 20496)
- Location: Embu
- Proper Clinic (Reg. No. 20794)
- Location: Embu
- Fountain of Hope Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 20931)
- Location: Embu
- Cetas Medical Clinic (Reg. No. 20958)
- Location: Embu
- Kamiu Junction Community Health Center (Reg. No. 21129)
- Location: Kamiu
- Graceview Medical Center (Reg. No. 18011)
- Location: Embu
- Kiritiri Funeral Home (Reg. No. 19999)
- Location: Kiritiri
- Services: Funeral home services (stand-alone)
Verifying SHA-Licensed Facilities in Embu
To confirm a facility’s SHA licensing status, residents should:
- Check the SHA Website: Visit https://sha.go.ke/resources/categories/2 for the official list of contracted facilities.
- Verify KMPDC Licensing: Ensure the facility is registered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.
- Contact SHA Support: Use the SHA helpline or email for clarification if a facility’s status is uncertain.
- Match Registration Numbers: Cross-reference the facility’s Reg. No. with SHA’s database.
This step is essential, as some facilities faced misclassification during SHA’s rollout in 2024, causing confusion among patients.
Services Offered by SHA-Licensed Private Facilities in Embu
SHA-licensed private facilities in Embu cater to a wide range of healthcare needs, including:
- Primary Care: Consultations, vaccinations, and chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, hypertension), available at Level 2 clinics like St. Teresa CFW Clinic.
- Maternity Services: Antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care, offered by Level 3B and Level 4 facilities like Liberty Maternity and Nursing Home.
- Dental Care: Specialized dental services, including extractions and oral surgery, provided by Mwea Dental Clinic and Smart Smile Dental Center.
- Eye Care: Vision consultations and treatments, offered by Kirimara Opticals Ltd and Eastend Eye Centre.
- Diagnostics: Laboratory tests, ultrasounds, and X-rays, available at medical centres like Focus Clinical and Diagnostic Centre Ltd.
- Specialized Care: Cancer treatment and radiotherapy at Nairobi Radiotherapy & Cancer Centre Limited – Embu, and pediatric care at Embu Children Hospital.
- Emergency Care: Basic emergency services and referrals to public facilities like Embu County Referral Hospital for advanced cases.
- Outpatient Services: Consultations and minor treatments, offered by most Level 3A and Level 2 facilities.
For complex treatments like advanced oncology or dialysis, patients may be referred to regional hospitals in Nairobi or Nyeri, as Embu’s private facilities have limited capacity for such services.
Challenges Facing Private Healthcare in Embu
Despite their contributions, private healthcare facilities in Embu face several challenges:
- Reimbursement Delays: Private hospitals have reported delays in SHIF payments, with some awaiting NHIF arrears from 2024, estimated at Ksh 25 billion.
- Limited Advanced Care: Only Embu Children Hospital (Level 5) offers advanced specialized services, necessitating referrals for complex cases.
- Rural Access: Areas like Mbeere South and Mbeere North have fewer high-level facilities, posing accessibility issues for rural residents.
- Public Awareness: Many residents are unaware of SHA registration processes or the benefits of SHIF-covered services.
Opportunities for Growth
Embu’s private healthcare sector has significant potential for expansion, including:
- Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations with the county government and organizations like the Aga Khan Health Services can enhance infrastructure.
- Technology Adoption: Telemedicine and electronic health records could improve service delivery in rural areas.
- Specialized Services: Upgrading facilities to offer renal care, advanced oncology, or neurosurgery could reduce referrals.
- Community Engagement: Awareness campaigns can increase SHA registration and utilization of private facilities.
How to Access SHA Services in Embu
To access SHA services at these private facilities, follow these steps:
- Register with SHA:
- Online: Visit sha.go.ke for self-registration.
- USSD: Use the SHA USSD code for quick enrollment.
- Assisted Enrollment: Visit SHA centers or contracted facilities for support.
- Confirm SHIF Contributions: Ensure your contributions are up-to-date to avoid out-of-pocket costs.
- Select a Facility: Choose a licensed private hospital or clinic from the list above.
- Provide SHA Details: Present your SHA membership number or ID at the facility.
- Obtain Referrals if Needed: For specialized care, secure a referral to a higher-level facility.
The Future of Healthcare in Embu County
Embu County’s healthcare system is evolving, with SHA’s integration of private facilities strengthening the path to UHC. The county government has invested in public health infrastructure, including upgrading Embu County Referral Hospital to Level 5 and establishing new dispensaries in rural areas. Private facilities can complement these efforts by:
- Expanding specialized services to reduce dependency on regional hospitals.
- Leveraging technology to improve patient access and care coordination.
- Promoting preventive healthcare to address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
As SHA addresses reimbursement challenges and enhances public awareness, private facilities in Embu will play a pivotal role in delivering accessible, high-quality healthcare.
The 123 SHA-licensed private hospitals and clinics in Embu County provide a robust network of healthcare services, from primary care at Level 2 clinics to advanced treatment at Level 5 hospitals. By registering with SHA and utilizing these facilities, Embu residents can access affordable, quality care tailored to their needs.
