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By Mercy Kachenge
Nairobi, Kenya: Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya’s National Referral Hospital, is under immense strain. Its maternity services, in particular, are severely impacted by a deepening health crisis stemming from the ongoing industrial action by health workers in Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
According to a press statement issued the hospital has seen a sharp rise in the number of critically ill patients seeking care, many of them expectant mothers and newborns as most public hospitals in the two counties remain unable to operate fully. KNH has now become the main referral facility for urgent medical attention.
“The Maternity Department has been hardest hit, with the Labour Ward and Newborn Unit now handling more than twice their normal capacity,” said Dr. Richard Lesiyampe, Chief Executive Officer at KNH.
“Sadly, some mothers and babies are arriving too late, and a few have experienced poor outcomes despite our best efforts.”
The surge in admissions has also put immense strain on other critical hospital services including operating theatres, blood banks, and diagnostic services. Medical staff at KNH are working around the clock, but resources are stretched thin.
With the hospital battling to keep up with demand, KNH leadership has called on all parties involved in the strike to urgently resolve their issues to prevent further loss of life and service breakdown.
“Restoring normal operations in Nairobi and Kiambu county hospitals will help ease the burden on KNH and ensure patients can access care closer to their homes,” Dr. Lesiyampe said.
KNH remains committed to caring for all who arrive at its gates, but the facility warns that without an urgent resolution, more lives may be at risk, particularly those of mothers and newborns.
