Patients seeking non-emergency medical care at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) have been advised to consider other hospitals closer to them as the national referral facility grapples with a surge in patient numbers linked to an ongoing healthcare workers’ strike.
KNH said the industrial action affecting health services in several counties has pushed more patients who would ordinarily seek treatment at county facilities to the national referral hospital, resulting in longer waiting times and delays, particularly for non-emergency services.
“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 hospital said in a statement issued on Thursday, August 20.
The hospital however clarified that it remains open and continues to provide emergency and critical care services.
The increase in patient numbers comes amid an ongoing strike by healthcare workers, including nurses and clinical officers, across multiple counties.
The industrial action has disrupted health services in more than 20 counties, including Kisumu, Nakuru, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi and Nairobi.
The workers are demanding implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), settlement of outstanding salary arrears and permanent employment for staff recruited under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.
Although the Health Union Caucus initially called for a nationwide strike, the level of disruption varies across counties depending on local union agreements and the measures taken by individual county governments.
KNH normally handles an average of about 4,800 patients daily. However, the influx linked to the strike has pushed the number of patients beyond the hospital’s usual daily volume.
As the largest public hospital in the country, KNH remains a preferred destination for patients seeking affordable specialised care, with many choosing it over private hospitals.
The increased demand has consequently placed additional pressure on the facility, resulting in congestion and longer waiting times for patients seeking routine and other non-emergency services.
KNH apologised for the inconvenience caused by the congestion and appealed to patients for patience and understanding.
“We regret the inconvenience and appreciate our clients' patience and understanding,” the hospital said.
The directive is aimed at easing pressure on the referral facility while allowing patients who require routine or non-emergency treatment to access services at hospitals closer to their homes.
