Kenyatta National Hospital is facing a critical situation as the strike by health workers in Nairobi and Kiambu counties continues, leading to a surge of patients needing urgent care.
The national referral facility has become the main option for residents, as most county hospitals remain largely non-functional.
Acting Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe said the hospital is under immense pressure, with staff attending to a growing number of patients, many in serious condition.
“KNH is witnessing an overwhelming increase in the number of patients seeking care, following the ongoing industrial action in Kiambu and Nairobi counties,” Lesiyampe stated. “With most public facilities unable to operate fully, KNH has become the main point of care for patients in need of urgent treatment.”
The Maternity Department is bearing the brunt of the increased demand.
The Labour Ward and Newborn Unit are operating at more than twice their normal capacity, and some mothers and newborns have suffered adverse outcomes despite the hospital’s efforts.
Other hospital services, including operating theatres, the blood bank, and diagnostic units, are also under strain. Medical staff are working long hours to manage the workload, often under extremely challenging conditions.
“Our staff are working tirelessly around the clock, but resources are stretched to the limit. KNH remains committed to caring for all who come through our doors and will continue to do everything possible to save lives under these difficult circumstances,” Lesiyampe emphasized.
He urged both county authorities and striking health workers to settle their disagreements quickly.
“Restoring normal operations in Kiambu and Nairobi County hospitals will ease the pressure on KNH and ensure that patients receive care closer to their homes and on time,” he added.
The ongoing strike, which began on May 26, has left public hospitals in the two counties largely paralyzed. Residents are forced to rely heavily on KNH for emergency and specialized care.
This comes shortly after the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) claimed that at least 136 babies have died during the over four-month strike. Kiambu County dismissed the figures, describing them as exaggerated.
Addressing the media on October 7, County Health Officer Patrick Nyagah said, “When we look at these alarmist numbers, we find that in every category, they (KMPDU) have doubled the numbers. This is malice, putting out numbers that do not exist. The numbers that we are dealing with at this point are equal to the numbers that we were dealing with last year when there was no strike.”
The strike has also affected 697 medical interns, who have had to be relocated to other counties to continue their work.