Crisis
The Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) members have demanded a quick resolution to the ongoing crisis including a sh2.2 billion outstanding debts for suppliers owed to them by Nairobi Hospital.
The Association cited poor management that lowers the staff morale and the CEO contract extension as some of the threats to operations at the Nairobi Hospital. Speaking at the briefing, KHA Member Mithamo Muchiri has emphasized on the association’s commitment to address the hospital’s conditions that are making the hospital deteriorate hence there is an urgent need and optimization of the issues.
“The situation at Nairobi Hospital has reached a critical point prompting urgent discussions among the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) and Nairobi Hospital Doctors members about the future of one of the most prominent healthcare institutions in Kenya,” said Muchiri.
He noted that in several months, the hospital has been struggling with severe operational challenges, compounded by a total debt of Sh2.2 billion owed to suppliers as he called for measures to be put in place to rescue the hospital and ensure it runs smoothly.
KHA member Dr. J.D Partel stated that the issue of depending on suppliers who are not vetted properly will have repercussions both on the supply chain and the maintenance.
“The unvented supplies could lead to significant repercussions, including litigation. The letters sent to suppliers aimed to clarify that any unvented supplies could disrupt our operations and lead to legal complications,” he cautioned, and emphasize on a critical need for a reliable supply chain for both consumables and non-consumable such as machinery.
Additionally, on financial challenges, he underscored the importance of proper vetting and maintenance programs to avoid escalating the hospital’s difficulties hence KHA is appealing to suppliers to hold on new shipments until the current supply chain issues are resolved.
“We are making strides to ensure that the supply chain is streamlined and managed effectively, but this requires cooperation from all parties involved,” he said. He stated that the extension of contracts including the CEOs contract as alleged by the current board, KHA members are opposing it since it is leading a negative leadership at the hospital where staff are no longer empowered and motivated in service delivery.
“The intimidation via human resource and other forms, has created a toxic working environment,” he said, adding that the contract extension issue is something that needs to be revisited as part of making amendments. KHA member Charles Wambugu said that during his serving as an interim board member back in 2019, the hospital was in a governance crisis and quit issues were put into place making the hospital to run properly as compared to the current board.
He has challenged the current board to find a solution to the raised issues such as toxic environment which is causing senior staff to either resign or be sacked unprocedurally hence making the hospital to call for better management practices at KHA in order to restore the hospitals reputation as a leading health service provider.
Staff members who are still at the hospital are enduring a difficult situation. When lacking motivation is lacking the quality of care suffers,” he stated, adding that the bed occupancy for patients has dropped to 45 percent causing the patients to seek care in other facilities due to the fallen hospital status as the healthcare provider of choice.
The Association Members are committed to uphold the standards of healthcare that Nairobi Hospital long time represented to survivors by prioritizing patient care and employee welfare as well as focusing on restoring operational efficiency, improving staff morale and ensuring that patients access health care easily.