KNH joins APS, GSU graduation ceremonies

By Poline Njue

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) received an invitation to offer specialized clinical services at the Administrative Police Service (APS) 58th Graduation ceremony and General Service Unit (GSU) 49th Graduation recruits pass out.

The events were officiated by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, CGH. President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces. They took place on the 11th and 12th of January 2023 respectively at the Embakasi Campus.

KNH was tasked with specific roles and responsibilities to carry out in health service delivery: i. Preparedness and mitigation of any negative impact on humanity with respect to the function ii. Provision of specialized health care services for emergencies that may arise within the campus iii. Provision of ambulance services iv. Readiness for casualties’ management

The KNH team had various activities aimed at achieving the objectives which included; campus hazard mapping, establishing the available resources, establishing the available capacity and capability, and establishing varying job cards.

Various resources were availed during the event. They include;

• KNH Doctors and disaster/ emergency nurses (all specialized for best performance in the specific job cards assigned to them

• Kenya Red Cross Society volunteers

• St John Ambulance Services

• Ruai Family Service providers

• Institutional healthcare givers within the campus

• Private first aid providers

• All governmental security arms were in place and a good collaborative state.

The various job cards for the two events included;

• Emergency casualty assessment

• Diagnosis

• Treatment by specialized doctors and nurses from Kenyatta National Hospital and other team members

• Evacuation of any casualty identified to be in danger

• Safety of the work environment by safety officers

The Hospital attended to 18 casualties at the APS event and 8 casualties at the GSU event. The diagnosis comprised asthma attacks, acute headaches due to dehydration, panic attacks, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, joint sprain, breathing complication, sickle cell, and chest pain among others.

The KNH disaster and emergency staff carried out all the delegated duties from the state orders and handled complex health emergencies successfully with reference to the KNH mandate and the disaster plan and policy.

MAIN PHOTO | POLINE NJUE KNH Disaster and emergency staff attend to patients during the GSU pass-out.