Health CS Dr Cleopa Mailu pulls a 'Magufuli' on Kenyatta National Hospital

 The CS had received complaints about theatre services, and the hospital instead of being an inpatient, referral facility, still had too many patients whose cases that could be handled elsewhere

Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Cleopa Mailu made an unannounced visit to Kenya’s biggest referral hospital and was shocked by the congestion in the overstretched facility.

The CS had received complaints about theatre services, and the hospital instead of being an inpatient, referral facility, still had too many patients whose cases that could be handled elsewhere. Like in Nairobi City County hospitals but which closed at 5pm instead of operating 24 hours to relieve the pressure on Kenyatta.

Kenyatta receives an average of 350 cases leading to a backlog with bookings for surgery full until 2018. The dire situation was such that some patient had stayed for 60 days in the critical area due to lack of empty beds.

While acknowledging that theatres were in good condition, he decried the issue of sterilization of equipment on finding out that only one out the six sterilisation machines was functional.

“I understand from management that they have contracted Mbagathi, Pumwani and Mama Lucy Hospitals to help with sterilisation,” said Dr Mailu adding, “I have asked the CEO to call the board to meet to make sure that machines are working.” Each machine costs an average of Sh17 million.

 Kenyatta is also overwhelmed by students from universities and colleges who are studying in the theatres with lack of facilities which calls for the board to come up with a plan to improve on facilities. “We collect close to Sh4 billion from patients every year which should be put in into targeted areas that will improve patient care together with grants from the government,” said Dr Mailu.

Lily Koros, the CEO of Kenyatta said “We shall work on a plan to decongest the hospital by ensuring that we receive only patients that we can handle.”