KNH participates in an inter-hospital Mass Casualty Incident drillp Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health at

By Edel Q. Mwende

The Hospital participated in an inter-hospital Mass Casualty Incident drill on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

The drill involved four (4) private hospitals; Aga Khan University Hospital, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, MP Shah Hospital and Avenue Hospital.

The Kenyatta National Hospital Disaster Management team played a mentorship role to the four private hospitals in the preparation for the MCI drill.

Three representatives from the KNH Disaster Management Committee; Ms. Poline Njue (Nursing, Emergency Ward 42), Mr. Victor Waweru (Facilities & Services) and Ms. Edel Mwende (Marketing and Communication), were sent to Aga Khan, Gertrude’s, and Avenue Hospital to play observer roles and provide feedback on corrective measures for effective disaster preparedness and response.

The main objective of the drill was to test the MOU that exists between the four institutions as pertains to disaster response during mass casualty incidents. The drill also tested the preparedness of the private hospitals to respond to and manage disasters.

The drill scenario was a stampede that occurred after a bomb scare at Aga Khan Academy involving teachers and students with fractures and poly traumas.

The staging was done at Aga Khan Academy on 1st Parklands Avenue. There were 70 players who were tagged in 3 different tags; 18 red, 29 yellow and 23 green. The players were distributed among the four (4) hospitals as per their MOU.

Aga Khan University Hospital has carried out several MCI drills before. They received 19 casualties from the incident with fractures and burns. The hospital was well prepared for disaster response and it offered a benchmarking opportunity for all participants.

Gertrude’s Hospital has carried out various drills to test its disaster response and preparedness. They received 17 casualties from the incident with fractures, burns, and abdominal injuries and were able to handle them effectively. Some gaps were identified and suggestions were shared with the team to enhance disaster preparedness.

It was the first time that Avenue Hospital carried out an MCI drill. They received 20 casualties from the MCI with various injuries including fractures and burns. The drill was managed effectively and feedback for improvement was shared.

The rest of the 14 casualties were received by MP Shah.

Evacuation from the scene was done in under 1 hour.

The drill ended with a face-toface and zoom debrief from the emergency response teams and drill participants. Drills are an important exercise for the health care sector as they ensure that the teams are always ready for disaster response and this collaboration offered a benchmarking opportunity for all participants.

MP Shah Hospital ambulance drops an injured patient at Avenue Hospital during the MCI drill as per MOU

PHOTO | EDEL MWENDE

MAIN PHOTO | EDEL MWENDE: Avenue Hospital staff receive an injured patient during the MCI drill