Doctors at Nairobi Hospital have announced a cessation of new admissions and routine services, effective midnight, in a protest aimed at forcing the resignation of the institution’s board of management.
The announcement comes just two days ahead of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) organized by the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) to address what the doctors call a “crisis in governance” at one of Kenya’s leading private hospitals.
In a press statement, the Admitting Staff Association (ASA), which represents the doctors, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the hospital’s leadership. The doctors claim that under the current board, there has been a deterioration in the quality of care, governance issues, and mismanagement of the institution, prompting them to take drastic action.
“As of midnight today, Monday, September 16, 2024, the Nairobi Hospital Admitting Staff Association (Doctors) will down their tools until the incumbent board of directors resigns,” the statement reads. While doctors will still attend to patients in the wards, private clinics, and emergency cases, no new admissions will be accepted.
The press release also emphasized that the decision to halt admissions and down tools is part of a broader effort to save the hospital, which has been at the center of concerns regarding the quality of healthcare services. The doctors are calling for the immediate resignation of the board, which they claim has been at the root of ongoing issues.
A pivotal moment for the hospital’s future is expected to come during the EGM scheduled for September 18 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Upper Hill. During this meeting, KHA members plan to deliberate on the hospital’s governance and explore potential leadership changes. “In furtherance of our quest to save the Nairobi Hospital, all members of the Kenya Hospital Association are reminded of the Extraordinary General Meeting,” the statement continues, calling on all KHA members to rally for change.
The doctors also called for public support, urging Kenyans to stand behind their efforts to restore the hospital’s reputation. “We call upon the support of all members of the public of good will, who are desirous of sustained quality healthcare from the Nairobi Hospital,” the ASA statement implored.
In recent months, insiders have raised concerns about internal conflicts within the board and management inefficiencies, leading to fears that the hospital’s operations and patient care standards could be compromised.
