Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has asked patients seeking non-emergency care to consider other hospitals where appropriate, as the facility experiences rising patient numbers and congestion.
In a statement on August 20, KNH said the rise in patient volumes was linked to an industrial action affecting health services in various counties.
KNH Urges Non-Emergency Patients to Seek Care Elsewhere
The national referral hospital said it was receiving more patients who would ordinarily seek treatment at county and other health facilities, resulting in longer waiting times and delays, particularly for 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.
To ease pressure on the facility and ensure timely access to care, KNH advised patients with non-urgent medical needs to seek treatment at other hospitals where appropriate.
“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 congestion, the hospital assured the public that it remains operational and continues to provide emergency and critical care services.
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“KNH remains open and continues to provide emergency and critical care services,” the hospital said.
The hospital also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the situation and thanked patients for their patience and understanding during the period of increased demand.
Kenyatta Hospital Faces Renewed Pressure
The latest congestion adds to a series of operational challenges the referral hospital has faced in recent months.
Earlier this year, services at Kenyatta Hospital were affected by a doctors’ strike that disrupted patient care and led to the postponement of some services as healthcare workers pressed for improved working conditions.
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The hospital has also struggled with bed shortages and overcrowding, particularly in specialized units, as patients from across the country continue to rely on the facility for advanced medical care.
The pressure has often intensified whenever county hospitals experience staffing shortages, labour disputes or interruptions in service delivery.
Earlier this year, KNH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Lesiyampe warned that industrial action in county health facilities was stretching the referral hospital beyond its normal capacity.
He said disruptions in county hospitals had forced more patients to seek treatment at KNH, increasing pressure on departments such as maternity and emergency care. The latest congestion suggests those challenges have persisted as health services in several counties remain affected by industrial action.
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