Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has reported increased patient numbers and congestion as industrial action continues to disrupt health services in various counties.
KNH CEO Dr Richard Lesiyampe said the national referral hospital was receiving more patients who would ordinarily seek treatment at county and other health facilities.
The influx has resulted in longer waiting times and delays, particularly for patients seeking non-emergency services.
KNH has urged clients seeking non-emergency care to consider hospitals closer to their homes where appropriate, to help ease pressure on the facility and facilitate timely access to healthcare.
“KNH remains open and continues to provide emergency and critical care services,” Lesiyampe said.
The facility apologised for the inconvenience caused by the congestion and appealed to patients for patience and understanding as it manages the increased workload.
The situation comes amid industrial action affecting health services in several counties, forcing some patients to seek treatment at national referral facilities.
KNH did not specify the number of additional patients it has received since the industrial action began.
The ongoing nurses’ strike in various counties is putting additional pressure on national referral hospitals as patients affected by disruptions in county health facilities seek alternative places to receive treatment.
The industrial action stems from a range of grievances raised by nurses and midwives, including the implementation of collective bargaining agreements, employment terms, career progression and other outstanding labour issues.
The dispute has affected health services in several counties, with some facilities operating with reduced staff.
The disruption has also created a ripple effect beyond county hospitals.
Patients who would normally seek routine and specialised services closer to home are increasingly turning to national referral facilities such as KNH, contributing to higher patient numbers and congestion.
The strike has also triggered attempts by county governments and health authorities to maintain essential services, while negotiations with the nurses’ union continue.
The labour dispute has been further complicated by legal proceedings and disagreements over the implementation of agreements previously reached between the parties.
For KNH, the influx highlights how disruptions at county level can quickly affect the country’s referral system, as patients travel to higher-level hospitals when services near them become unavailable.
