The government through the Ministry of Health has indicated that it will close the outpatient department at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) due to congestion of patients.
Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopha Mailu stated that the Ministry was drawing up a plan to ensure that they close the outpatient services at KNH so that the hospital can be allowed to play its referral role and speciality to the entire country.
"We are coming up with a framework to ensure we close the Outpatient services at the Kenyatta National Hospital so that the hospital can cater for referral role and speciality service for the entire in the country," Mailu stated during the closure of a retreat by the Kenya Medical Traning College (KMTC) Board, senior managers and principals in Mombasa on Sunday.
The CS noted that it was the responsibility of the County of Nairobi to provide medical services to the residents of Nairobi.
He added that the county government and the ministry were working together to renovate Mama Lucy, Pumwani and Mbagathi Hospitals so that they can fully support and offer medical services to the residents of Nairobi before making a final decision on the closure of Kenyatta National Hospital services.
"It is the provisional of the Nairobi County government to provide health care service for residents of Nairobi county but we are working together to ensure we improve their facilities and ensure those institutions are fully operational before we make a final decision," he emphasised.
Dr Mailu further stated that the government would continue investing in human capital by training professionals and providing standard health services.
