Governance Crisis at Nairobi Hospital: Doctors Threaten Strike, Operations at Risk

A governance row at Nairobi Hospital has escalated, with doctors threatening to strike and halt new patient admissions. The Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) is demanding the resignation of the board, citing corruption and mismanagement. Thousands of patients may be affected as hospital services face potential paralysis.

Sep 23, 2024 - 18:08
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Governance Crisis at Nairobi Hospital: Doctors Threaten Strike, Operations at Risk

Nairobi, Kenya — A looming crisis at Nairobi Hospital is threatening to disrupt operations as doctors have announced plans to halt treatment, leaving thousands of patients in limbo. The Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), which oversees the hospital, has called for a strike, demanding the resignation of the current board of management. If the strike goes ahead, the hospital could face significant disruptions, forcing patients to seek medical care elsewhere.

In a statement issued on September 16, 2024, the KHA, through the Admitting Staff Association, declared that its members would stop admitting new patients starting Monday, while only providing care to those already admitted.

“The general public is therefore notified that there will be no new admissions at Nairobi Hospital... the doctors will only attend to patients in the wards, their private clinics, and emergency cases only,” the notice read.

The association has also organized an extraordinary general meeting, set for September 18, 2024, at Radisson Blu Hotel in Upper Hill. In the notice, KHA urged the public to join the meeting in solidarity to “save the hospital from mismanagement.”

The strike announcement follows a prolonged governance dispute between KHA's requisition committee and the hospital's board over alleged corruption, nepotism, and mismanagement. KHA members claim these issues are leading the hospital towards financial instability and deteriorating healthcare standards.

Despite these claims, Nairobi Hospital's management has downplayed the situation. In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the hospital assured the public that its operations were continuing without disruption.

“We would like to assure the general public that our operations are going on smoothly. We urge our partners and stakeholders to ignore reports circulating about an impending strike. We are grateful for your continued support,” the hospital stated.

Dr. Chris Bichage, the chairman of Nairobi Hospital’s board of management, has dismissed the allegations, accusing certain individuals of launching a smear campaign. “The claims of corruption and poor governance are being peddled by individuals who have failed to manipulate our governance structures for selfish gain,” said Dr. Bichage.

With patients already facing uncertainty, and a governance showdown intensifying, all eyes are now on the outcome of the KHA’s planned meeting on September 18. The situation continues to unfold, leaving the future of Nairobi Hospital’s operations in question.

Background: Nairobi Hospital, one of Kenya’s leading private healthcare facilities, has been embroiled in governance disputes for months. Allegations of cronyism and financial mismanagement have plagued the institution, creating an internal rift between the board of management and a faction of the KHA. This internal conflict, if not resolved, threatens to paralyze one of the region’s most critical healthcare providers.

Call to Action: As the governance dispute escalates, patients and stakeholders are urged to stay informed about the situation and seek alternative healthcare options in case of prolonged disruptions. The public is encouraged to engage in the ongoing discussions and attend the extraordinary meeting organized by KHA on September 18, to ensure their voices are heard in the quest for quality healthcare at Nairobi Hospital.

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