Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has appealed to patients seeking non-emergency medical services to consider alternative health facilities as the national referral hospital grapples with rising patient numbers and congestion.
In a statement issued on August 20, the hospital attributed the increase in patient volumes partly to an ongoing industrial action affecting health services in several counties.
The strike, led by nurses and clinical officers, has disrupted healthcare services in more than 20 counties, including Kisumu, Nakuru, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi and Nairobi.
The disruptions have pushed more patients to seek treatment at KNH, many of whom would ordinarily receive care at county hospitals and other health facilities.
The resulting influx has increased pressure on the hospital and contributed to longer waiting times, particularly for patients seeking non-emergency services.
“As a national referral hospital, KNH is receiving more patients who would ordinarily access services at county and other health facilities. This has resulted in longer waiting times and delays, particularly for non-emergency services,” the hospital said.
KNH urged patients whose conditions do not require urgent attention to seek care at hospitals closer to their homes where possible. The move is intended to reduce congestion and enable the facility to prioritise patients requiring specialised and urgent medical attention.
“Clients seeking non-emergency care are encouraged to consider other hospitals closer to them, where appropriate, to ease pressure on KNH and facilitate timely access to care,” the statement added.
Despite the increased demand, the hospital said it remains fully operational and continues to attend to patients requiring emergency and critical care.
“KNH remains open and continues to provide emergency and critical care services,” the hospital said.
The hospital apologised for the inconvenience caused by the congestion and thanked patients for their patience and understanding as it manages the surge in demand.
KNH is Kenya’s largest referral and teaching hospital and serves patients from across the country, particularly those requiring specialised treatment that may not be available at lower-level facilities.
The facility’s large capacity enables it to handle an average of 4,800 patients every day, but the current influx has placed additional strain on its services.
