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Maintaining the lead in Energy Management
By Dave Opiyo
Kenyatta National Hospital is this week basking in glory after the health facility and some of its staff were separately feted in recognition of excellence in service delivery and prudent management of resources.
On July 8, 2022, the KNH was declared the best public institution in energy management during the 18th Energy Management Awards held at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.
This is the third time, in a row, that the institution is being feted at the annual awards for its efficient energy use in its operations.
The awards are organized by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission. The icing on the cake was perhaps the conferment of three different national honors to some of its staff by H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Board member Mr. Emmanuel Bitta, Dr. Makanyengo Margaret Omondi Othieno, a retired Consultant Psychiatrist and former Head of the Mental Health Department and Dr. Weston Khisa Wakasiaka, were awarded Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S).
On the other hand while Senior Director, Clinical Services Dr. Irene Inwani, and Mrs. Rose Mugambi, Director, Supply Chain Management were awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya(O.G.W).
These awards are normally presented to individuals in recognition of the outstanding service rendered to the country in different responsibilities and capacities.
Chief Executive Officer Dr. Evanson Kamuri, EBS congratulated the awardees and encouraged other staff members to redouble their efforts if they were to follow suit.
“These awards are not only for the individuals conferred but the entire hospital as well. Congratulations on the good work done. We hope that in the future, more and more KNH staff will be conferred these national honors. This calls for a major celebration,” said the CEO.
In the Energy Management Awards, KNH was feted for spearheading several initiatives to save energy at the institution.
According to Eng. Richard Binga, the Director, Facilities and Services, some of the initiatives included the replacement of fluorescent tube lights with energy-efficient LED light fittings, which had saved the institutions millions of shillings that could have been paid as power bills.
“The hospital has more than 40,000 lighting points. We have so far replaced about 30,000 light tubes with energy-efficient Led lights resulting in an annual saving of 424,200 Kwh electrical energy thus reducing the annual electricity bill by Kshs 7.9 million,” said Eng. Binga.
Other initiatives, he said, includes the installation of lift dump waiters with energy-efficient motor for theatres and TSSU as well as the installation of energy-efficient laundry equipment ie: 2 No. Washer extractor and a Tumble drier.
On Thermal Energy, Eng. Binga said the hospital uses boilers to generate steam which is a critical utility for cooking in the main kitchen, washing, drying and ironing patient linen at the laundry as well as sterilization of theatre linen and surgical tools at the TSSU/CSSD unit.
The boiler, he said, uses Heavy fuel Oil (HFO) to generate steam which cost the hospital about Sh120 million annually.
However, to reduce this cost, Eng. Binga said the hospital replaced the old boiler with a modern boiler that is fitted with an automatic operation control system for running the equipment.
“A new steam distribution and condensate return system was installed to reduce losses due to steam leaks, unlagged steam pipes, and condensate recovery,” he said. “We also changed the boiler operation hours. This resulted in an average reduction in the daily fuel consumption by the steam boiler of 350 liters. Thus annual saving of 125,000 liters at a unit price per liter of Kshs. 70/= the annual cost savings amounts to Kshs. 8.82 Million,” he added.
On Administrative Best Practice, the senior official said the institution developed a comprehensive energy management policy.
The policy, he said, was submitted and approved by EPRA in compliance with the energy Management Act 2019. Some of the policy’s key highlights added was the appointment of an energy management committee to spearhead energy management activities in the hospital.
The policy further calls for the allocation of resources (budget) for the implementation of the energy management initiatives identified in the Energy Audit Report.
Dr. Irene Inwani, Senior Director Clinical Services,OGW displays the award
PHOTO |NICHOLAS WAMALWA
Dr. Lydia Okutoyi , Director Health Care Quality, displays the award
PHOTO |NICHOLAS WAMALWA
GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 8229, 8 th July 2022
IN RECOGNITION OF DISTINGUISHED AND OUTSTANDING SERVICES RENDERED TO THE NATION
Congratulations
Mrs. Rose Mugambi, Director, Supply Chain Management- Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya(O.G.W)
Dr. Makanyengo Margaret Omondi Othieno, a retired Consultant Psychiatrist and former Head of the Mental Health Department- Awarded Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S).
Board member Mr. Emmanuel Bitta- Awarded Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S).
Dr. Irene Inwani, Senior Director, Clinical Services - Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya(O.G.W)
Dr. Weston Khisa Wakasiaka, were awarded Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S).
