The Ministry of Health has announced urgent reforms aimed at improving patient safety and healthcare standards across Kenya’s national referral hospitals. This follows a tragic incident at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) earlier this month that highlighted serious lapses in patient welfare and hospital security.
In response, the Cabinet Secretary for Health has unveiled a series of measures to restore public trust and prevent similar tragedies. One of the key reforms is the implementation of stricter access controls in referral facilities. Effective immediately, only two visitors per patient will be allowed, and mandatory security screening will be conducted at all hospital entry points. These measures aim to enhance the safety and orderliness within hospital environments.
Additionally, the Ministry is launching a robust quality assurance protocol to improve accountability and care standards in all national referral hospitals. This protocol includes routine patient safety rounds, enhanced systems for handling complaints, and anonymous feedback tools for both patients and healthcare staff. A key focus will also be continuous training of healthcare workers on patient rights, safety protocols, and compassionate care.
To further bolster patient welfare, hospitals have been instructed to collaborate with the Ministry of Interior, local chiefs, and community leaders in supporting abandoned patients. The new directive outlines mechanisms for tracing families, facilitating dignified discharges, and ensuring long-term care placement for those who cannot be reintegrated into society.
These reforms are rooted in the Ministry’s broader goal to uphold the dignity, rights, and safety of every patient. Officials emphasized the need for compassionate, professional, and respectful treatment at all levels of healthcare delivery. They also reiterated the government’s commitment to continuous improvement in service delivery and maintaining the public’s trust in the health system.
This renewed focus on patient safety in Kenya’s referral hospitals marks a significant step toward strengthening accountability and improving the quality of care in the country’s health sector.
