Kenya's biggest referral hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, is sinking into dirt, dilapidated walls and flooded washrooms, and patients are getting worried.
A chilling video shared by Willow Health Media from a patient in the hospital, and seen by Kenyans.co.ke has sparked an online debate on the hospital's sanitation and the deteriorating state of Kenya's biggest referral hospital.
Patients frequenting the hospital seeking medical attention have expressed worry that instead of being healed, they might contract more diseases from the hospital due to the poor sanitation.
The footage by Willow Health Media reveals flooded washroom floors, crumbling walls, and poor sanitary provisions, raising urgent questions about accountability in public healthcare.
The video, taken in the Maternity Unit meant to care for mothers and their newborns, has exposed the dangers that pregnant women are going through, with blocked toilets, flooded bathroom floors and no sanitary bins.
New mothers and those awaiting delivery are compelled to navigate filthy, stagnant water from blocked toilets, wading through unsanitary conditions just to access the same malfunctioning toilets.
The same mothers go back to tend to their newly born babies, whose immunity is quite low, posing a danger not only to the mothers but also to the babies.
The bathrooms also lack sanitary bins, forcing patients to dispose of used sanitary towels in a crevice behind the wall. There are also no support bars to aid pregnant women and new mothers, despite the obvious risk of slipping on the wet floors.
Interestingly, the hospital operates with a Repair and Maintenance budget of Ksh447 million as of 2023, raising questions about why the hospital appears abandoned despite the allocated funds.
The video has ignited a wave of reactions from Kenyans, with many expressing frustration over the hospital’s declining standards. Kenyans are calling on the Ministry of Health, led by Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, to act swiftly and ensure the hospital regains its glory.
The hospital's CEO, Evans Kamuri, has also been put on the spot, with a section of Kenyans demanding action from him.
This revelation comes amid growing scrutiny of Kenya’s healthcare system, with KNH frequently under the spotlight for service delays and overcrowding.
While the hospital remains a lifeline for thousands, the conditions captured in the viral footage suggest a crisis that demands immediate intervention.
