Level 3A Comprehensive Health Centres Kenya — All 47 Counties + Maternity & Surgery
Level 3A health facilities in Kenya are the third tier of the country’s health system — full-service centres offering maternity care, inpatient admission, surgical theatre services, and comprehensive curative, preventive, and rehabilitative healthcare
Level 3A facilities are where most Kenyans go when they need more than outpatient care — for delivery, surgery, extended inpatient treatment, or any condition referred up from a Level 2 clinic. Unlike Level 2 facilities (which are outpatient-only), Level 3A has beds, operating theatres, and the capacity to manage complications and provide complete care pathways. Use the county list below to find Level 3A facilities near you.
⚡ Quick Answer: A Level 3A comprehensive health centre is a full-service inpatient facility offering maternity care, surgical theatre services, and extended inpatient treatment. Kenya has 1,707 licenced Level 3A facilities, the large majority privately owned (92%), alongside faith-based (5.5%) and public (2.5%) facilities. Find county-specific lists below.
Licenced Level 3A Comprehensive Health Centres Across All 47 Counties of Kenya
Level 3A facilities are covered under both the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF) for outpatient care and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for inpatient, maternity, and surgical services. Always confirm with your facility before delivery or admission whether they accept SHA/SHIF payments and whether pre-authorization is required for your specific procedure.
What Is a Level 3A Comprehensive Health Centre? — Official Definition
Under Kenya’s official health facility categorisation, Level 3A facilities are comprehensive health centres — the third level of care and the first tier where inpatient admission, maternity care, and surgical theatre services become available. A Level 3A facility:
- Provides comprehensive curative, preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative services — not just basic outpatient treatment
- Offers maternity services and delivery — both normal vaginal delivery and caesarean section, with pre- and post-natal care
- Operates surgical theatre facilities — enabling minor and some major surgical procedures on-site
- Has inpatient beds — allows admission for up to 50 days (under SHA coverage) for extended treatment and recovery
- Manages complications and referrals — can handle obstetric emergencies, post-operative care, and complications arising from childbirth or surgery
- Encompasses multiple facility types — medical centres, dental centres, basic health centres, faith-based comprehensive centres, mission hospitals, and rehabilitation centres, all classified as Level 3A
- Forms a bridge between primary and secondary care — handles what Level 2 clinics cannot, while referring complex cases up to Level 4-6 hospitals
In short: if you need maternity care, inpatient admission, or surgical treatment, a Level 3A comprehensive health centre is usually your first point of contact, unless complications require Level 4+ expertise.
Level 3A vs Level 2 — Key Differences
| Capability | Level 2 (Clinic/Dispensary) | Level 3A (Comprehensive Centre) |
|---|---|---|
| Inpatient Beds | None — outpatient only | Yes — up to 50 days admission under SHA |
| Maternity Services | Antenatal care only; delivery must be referred to Level 3+ | Full maternity including normal delivery & C-section |
| Surgical Theatre | None — minor procedures only (e.g., wound closure) | Operating theatre for minor & some major surgery |
| Post-Operative Care | Not applicable | Full inpatient recovery & monitoring |
| Typical Patient Journey | First point of contact for acute/routine care | Referral destination for Level 2 cases needing admission/maternity/surgery |
What Types of Level 3A Facilities Exist in Kenya?
Level 3A encompasses several distinct facility types, each licenced separately. Based on Kenya’s 1,707 licenced Level 3A facilities, here is the breakdown:
Medical Centres — 1,471 facilities
Full-service comprehensive health centres with maternity, inpatient beds, and surgical theatre. The largest category by far, mostly privately owned.
Dental Centres — 83 facilities
Dental facilities classified as Level 3A, offering comprehensive dental treatment and procedures. Fewer than Level 2 dental clinics, reflecting specialized equipment needs.
Basic Health Centres — 57 facilities
Officially gazetted health centres offering ambulatory and inpatient services appropriate to local needs. Often public or faith-based.
Faith-Based Basic Centres — 51 facilities
Health centres operated by faith-based organizations, including maternity and inpatient capacity, often serving rural and underserved communities.
Mission Hospitals (Level 3) — 13 facilities
Hospital-level facilities operated by missionary organizations, providing comprehensive services including maternity and surgery.
Rehabilitation Centres — 8 facilities
Facilities specializing in rehabilitative and therapeutic services, often integrated with Level 3A inpatient capacity for extended care.
By ownership, Level 3A facilities in Kenya are predominantly private (1,570 facilities — 92%), with faith-based organizations (94 — 5.5%) and public facilities (43 — 2.5%) making up the rest. The heavy private ownership at this level reflects Kenya’s mixed healthcare model, where private investment drives inpatient and surgical capacity.
Level 3A vs Level 2 vs Level 4+ — When Should You Go Where?
| Facility Level | Key Services | When to Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 — Clinic / Dispensary | Basic outpatient: consultation, diagnosis, minor treatment, basic labs. No admission. | Routine illness, check-up, minor dental/eye care. Your first stop for most acute care. |
| Level 3A — Comprehensive Health Centre (Current page) | Maternity, inpatient (up to 50 days), surgery, comprehensive care. No specialist services. | Delivery, inpatient treatment, surgery, or when Level 2 refers you up. Most pregnancies handled here. |
| Level 3B/3C — General / Basic Health Centres | Similar to 3A but may lack full surgical or maternity capacity. Varies by facility. | Intermediate: more than Level 2 but less than full 3A comprehensive services. |
| Level 4–6 — Hospitals & Specialist Centres | Complex surgery, specialist services, ICU, emergency care, teaching/research capacity. | Complications during delivery/surgery, specialist diagnosis, trauma/emergencies, complex conditions. |
Quick rule: Start at Level 2 for everyday care. If pregnant, go to Level 3A for delivery unless complications suggest Level 4+. If Level 3A cannot manage your condition, you will be referred to Level 4 or higher — this referral chain is by design.
SHA Coverage at Level 3A Facilities — What’s Covered and How It Works
Level 3A facilities are covered under two SHA funding streams: the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF) for outpatient care, and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for inpatient, maternity, and surgical services. Here is what applies at Level 3A:
Level 3A PHF + SHIF Coverage Breakdown
Important: Not every private Level 3A facility participates in SHIF reporting. Always confirm with the specific facility whether they accept SHA payments for the specific service you need (maternity, surgery, inpatient) and whether pre-authorization is required. For maternity care, confirm the facility’s capacity for managing complications (e.g., emergency C-section capability).
Need to verify your SHA account? Log into Afya Yangu portal to check your registration status, contributions, and coverage details. If you cannot log in, read our phone number change guide for help. For SHA inquiries, call 0800 720 601 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm).
Find Level 3A Comprehensive Health Centres in Your County
Kenya has 1,707 Level 3A comprehensive health centres across all 47 counties. Click your county below to see all Level 3A facilities — medical centres, dental centres, basic health centres — in your area. These county pages include facility names, addresses, ownership type, maternity capacity, and SHA/SHIF participation status.
Level 3A Facilities by County — All 47 Counties
Each county page includes: Facility names, type (medical centre, dental centre, basic health centre, etc.), addresses, ownership (public/private/faith-based), maternity capacity where applicable, and SHA/SHIF participation status. Call ahead to confirm current services, maternity capacity, and SHA acceptance before visiting.
Counties With the Most Level 3A Comprehensive Health Centres in Kenya
Level 3A facility density varies significantly by county, generally tracking population size, urbanization, and healthcare investment. The five counties with the most Level 3A facilities are:
- Nairobi — 524 facilities — by far the highest concentration nationally, reflecting the capital’s population density and the large number of private maternity and surgical centres.
- Kiambu — 118 facilities — the second-highest count, driven by proximity to Nairobi and rapid urban expansion with growing private healthcare infrastructure.
- Mombasa — 71 facilities — the largest concentration in the coastal region, reflecting the city’s healthcare needs.
- Nakuru — 62 facilities — the largest concentration in the Rift Valley region, benefiting from urbanization and regional healthcare demand.
- Kisumu — 52 facilities — the highest count in the Lake Victoria region, driven by the city’s size and healthcare demand.
At the other end, counties such as Samburu (2 facilities), Marsabit (3), Elgeyo/Marakwet (3), Nyandarua (4), and Isiolo & Lamu (5 each) have far fewer Level 3A facilities, consistent with lower population density, geographic remoteness, and historically underinvested regions.
Frequently Asked Questions — Level 3A Comprehensive Health Centres Kenya
What is the difference between Level 3A and Level 2?
Level 2 facilities are outpatient-only — no beds, no maternity delivery, no surgery. Level 3A has inpatient beds (up to 50 days), offers full maternity care including delivery and C-section, and has surgical theatre facilities. Level 3A is where you go for delivery, surgery, or extended inpatient treatment.
Can I have my baby at any Level 3A facility?
Most Level 3A facilities offer maternity services, but capacity and capability vary. Some may handle routine deliveries but not emergency C-sections. Always confirm in advance that the facility has the capacity for your specific birth plan and complication management. High-risk pregnancies may need Level 4+ specialist centres.
How much does maternity care at Level 3A cost under SHA?
Normal vaginal delivery: KES 11,200 (max 48 hours stay). Caesarean section: KES 32,600 (max 72 hours stay, including emergency medicines). Antenatal care is covered under the PHF outpatient allocation. If complications extend your stay beyond the limits, additional days are covered at per diem rates.
What is included in the KES 2,400 per day inpatient tariff?
Hospital accommodation, meals, nursing care, general ward bed, investigations (lab & basic imaging), medications, and post-discharge follow-up within the treatment plan. Specialist procedures, ICU admission, and extended stays beyond 50 days per year require additional authorization or payment.
Do I need pre-authorization for surgery at Level 3A?
For major surgical procedures, yes — you should contact SHA for pre-authorization before surgery to confirm coverage. Minor procedures (male circumcision, wound closure, etc.) are covered under PHF. Emergency procedures that are life-saving are usually authorized post-hoc, but confirm with the facility.
What happens if I need a C-section but only KES 11,200 is approved?
The SHA maternity tariff explicitly covers both normal delivery (KES 11,200) and C-section (KES 32,600) separately. Confirm the facility accepts both tariffs. If complications require extended care, additional days are charged at the inpatient per diem rate (KES 2,400/day) and covered if pre-authorized.
How many Level 3A facilities are there in Kenya?
There are 1,707 licenced Level 3A comprehensive health centres across all 47 counties. Medical centres make up the largest share at 1,471 facilities, followed by basic health centres (57), dental centres (83), faith-based comprehensive centres (51), mission hospitals (13), and rehabilitation centres (8).
Are most Level 3A facilities in Kenya public or private?
Most are private. Of the 1,707 licenced Level 3A facilities, 1,570 are privately owned (92%), 94 are faith-based organizations (5.5%), and 43 are public (2.5%). This reflects Kenya’s mixed healthcare model where private investment drives maternity and surgical capacity.
What if a Level 3A facility can’t handle my delivery or surgery?
You will be referred to a Level 4, 5, or 6 facility with greater capacity. This is a normal part of the referral pathway. For obstetric emergencies (eclampsia, placental abruption, fetal distress), the facility should manage stabilization while arranging emergency transfer. Ask the facility about their referral protocol when you book for maternity care.
Do all private Level 3A facilities accept SHA/SHIF payments?
No. Some private facilities participate in SHIF, but not all. Always confirm in advance that the specific facility accepts SHA for the service you need (maternity, inpatient, surgery), as this affects your out-of-pocket costs. Most facilities will ask for your SHA membership confirmation.
Which county has the most Level 3A facilities?
Nairobi County has the most, with 524 licenced Level 3A facilities — over 30% of the national total. Kiambu (118) and Mombasa (71) follow as the next highest.
What if my county has very few Level 3A facilities?
Counties like Samburu, Marsabit, and Elgeyo/Marakwet have very few Level 3A facilities due to low population density and geographic remoteness. In such areas, you may need to travel to the nearest major town or county capital for maternity or major surgical care. Plan ahead if you are pregnant or need scheduled surgery.
What to Do Next — Booking and Visiting a Level 3A Facility
Use the county list above to see all licenced Level 3A comprehensive health centres near you, with facility names, addresses, and basic details.
Call the facility to confirm they offer the specific service you need (maternity, inpatient, surgery), their current capacity, and whether they accept SHA/SHIF payments for your particular case.
Log into Afya Yangu portal and verify your account is active and contributions are up to date before your visit or admission.
Contact SHA (0800 720 601) or ask your facility to request pre-authorization for major surgery, complex delivery cases, or extended inpatient stays. This avoids surprises with out-of-pocket costs.
At admission or booking, the facility will verify your registration and coverage status. Keep your membership confirmation and any pre-authorization letters provided by SHA.
Confirm what happens if complications occur — does the facility stabilize and transfer, or do they manage the complication in-house? Have a referral hospital identified in advance for your peace of mind.
Disclaimer: This page is an informational guide only and does not constitute medical advice or healthcare recommendations. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions, delivery planning, and surgical options. MyCyber is not affiliated with the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Ministry of Health, or the Government of Kenya. Facility data (names, addresses, ownership, type) is based on official Kenya health facility licensing records. SHA/SHIF coverage figures are based on the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, the Primary Healthcare Act 2023, and the published SHA Benefits Package. Coverage rates, facility capacity, maternity services, and accreditation status may change — always call ahead or contact SHA (0800 720 601) to verify current information before booking or admission. For SHA inquiries, contact 0800 720 601 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm Kenya time).
