Newsline
21/3/2022
We Listen, We Care
Issue 5
Special Edition
21/3/2022
A New Baby is Born
ISSUE 5 | Kenyatta National Hospital Newsline
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A New Baby is Born Pomp and Colour as President Kenyatta Launches the Mama Margaret Kenyatta Hospital-KNH By Dave Opiyo, Edel Q. Mwende, and Jacqueline Ngure
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enyatta National Hospital has added yet another feather in its cap following the launch of a new children’s only hospital. The hospital christened Mama Margaret Kenyatta Children Hospital – KNH is in recognition of the country’s First Lady’s excellent work around maternal and child healthcare, especially the beyond zero and Linda mama initiatives. The event, filled with pomp and color was presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Others who attended included Health Cabinet Secretary Sen Mutahi Kagwe, PS Susan Mochache, Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director General Mohamed Badi, Kenyatta National Hospital Board Chair George Ooko, Chief Executive Dr. Evanson Kamuri amongst others. President Kenyatta arrived at the facility situated in Kariobangi shortly before 1 pm. He signed the visitor’s book, cut a ribbon, and unveiled a plaque to signify the grand opening of a level Six children’s hospital. He was then taken on a guided tour of the facility. The President registered his deep appreciation to KNH, for partnering with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services in the operationalization of the hospital for the greater benefit of all Kenyans. He remembered vividly touring the area at the height of a global pandemic about two years ago and finding an abandoned dilapidated structure that was meant to have been completed over 30 years ago. President Kenyatta made a personal commitment to ensure that the hospital would be completed as soon as possible so it could serve its envisioned purpose in the provision of health services to
thousands of Kenyans living in the informal settlement. “This hospital will serve as a referral facility for the 19 almost going to 21 lower level hospitals that we have constructed across the city of Nairobi.” Said President Kenyatta. The expansive Mama Margaret Kenyatta Children Hospital-KNH, is a 350-bed capacity hospital in Mathare North, Ruaraka Constituency, the first of its kind in Eastern Africa, and is fully equipped to offer pediatric referral services. “I am certain that working with KNH, the remaining work needed to make this facility a complete referral hospital within a few months shall be done,” he said Speaking during the launch, Hon. Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Health said: “This hospital answers the question of
ISSUE 5 | Kenyatta National Hospital Newsline
“This hospital answers the question of affordability, access, and quality of care, which are the pillars of Universal Healthcare.”
Hon. Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Health
affordability, access, and quality of care, which are the pillars of Universal Healthcare.” He further appreciated the First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta for accepting to have the Hospital named after her and emphasized her commitment to reducing infant mortality rates through her successful programs such as Linda mama, and invited her to tour the hospital. The launch of the children’s hospital marks a major milestone in the journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country. UHC aims at providing access and quality health services to all Kenyans. UHC is one of the four pillars of the Government’s Big 4 development agenda that encompasses manufacturing, affordable housing, food security,
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and nutrition. The Kenyatta National Hospital team that is spearheading the operationalization of the hospital was given a tight short notice to achieve this objective. But under the able leadership of our indefatigable CEO Dr. Evanson Kamuri EBS, the team hit the ground ready to burn the midnight oil and within a few days, the facility had taken shape as a KNH Annex and was ready for the presidential launch. The teams were led by Senior Director, Clinical Services Dr. Irene Inwani, and his Corporate Services counterpart Mr. Job Makanga. “Asanteni na Hongera sana KNH kwa kazi ambayo mmefanya na tukizidi kufanya kazi pamoja, Nina hakika wakenya wote watasaidika.” H.E Uhuru Kenyatta.
“I am certain that working with KNH, the remaining work needed to make this facility a complete referral hospital within a few months shall be done,”
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said H.E Uhuru Kenyatta
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Alleine, the President’s ‘flower’ girl By Edel Q. Mwende
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residential functions are often adorned in impressive lush floral decorations and fresh fragrant blossoms in a bid to awe the distinguished guests. Aside from these floral arrangements and other glaring logistical matters, the organizing committee is normally tasked to assign a flower girl to present flowers to the president or the guest of honor during state functions. At only 9 years of age, Alleine Wangui, a grade three pupil at a Public School; Missions of Hope Kariobangi Centre, brushed shoulders with the high and mighty in Kenya, thanks to her brilliance and courage. It all began with a call to her grandmother by their church Pastor of ACK St. Michael and All Angels, Kariobangi parish on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. The pastor had only one request; for the little girl’s grandmother to allow Alleine to attend an interview at the church. The purpose for the interview was top secret. Alleine and the grandmother proceeded to the church for the interview later that afternoon, where they met two other girls who were interviewed before her. One of them was Alleine’s best friend; Becky Khatalia, an 11-year-old grade 6 pupil at Korogocho Glory Primary School. “I was asked a variety of questions; among them being my name, age, and what I would want to be in future,” Alleine told Newsline. She continued: “I answered the questions confidently and smiled severally while at it. I told the interviewer that I want to be a pilot in the future. I got 15 marks, my best friend Becky got 10 marks while the other girl got 5 marks out of 20.” Alleine fit the bill. She passed the interview, which she did not know that it sought to find the president’s ’flower’ girl for the opening of the Margaret Kenyatta Children Hospital. “It felt great to be number one,” she added. “The interviewer then called my grandmother and I back to the
interview area, and told me that I would be presenting flowers to H.E. Hon Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H. I was surprised and overjoyed. For a moment I could not breathe. My grandmother was so happy. She hugged me in excitement,” said Alleine. This is how the little girl got her big break. On Thursday, March 17, 2022, Kenyatta National Hospital organized for her outfit to wear during the opening of the Margaret Kenyatta Children Hospital. “I was bought a beautiful crisp white dress and purple shoes. I even had my hair done in preparation for the great day,” she said happily. When she arrived at the Hospital for the long-awaited day, Friday, March 18, 2022, she was informed that due to some change in protocol, she would not be presenting flowers to the president, but a tray with scissors for cutting the ribbon of hope for the residents of Ruaraka
“ I want to be a pilot in the future. I got 15 marks, my best friend Becky got 10 marks while the other girl got 5 marks out of 20.”
ISSUE 5 | Kenyatta National Hospital Newsline
Sub-county. “I am still happy to hand over the scissors to His Excellency. This is a rare chance. I cannot wait!” said Alleine. When H.E. Hon Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H. arrived at Mama Margaret Children Hospital, Alleine held the tray with a smile. President Kenyatta leaned over to listen to the little star of hope who held the key to quality, affordable and specialized health care. Alleine said to His Excellency: “My name is Allenie Wangui, welcome your Excellency.” She then handed over the scissors to the President with a smile, and he cut ribbon. Mama Margaret Children Hospital was then officially opened. To her, it was a dream come true, one she will always cherish.
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Our story in pictures
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Our story in pictures
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The rationale for setting up the Children’s Hospital
By Dave Opiyo The child population in Kenya constitutes 40.8 percent of the entire national population. Nationally, the neonatal mortality rates stand at 19.6 per 1000 live births, infant mortality rates at 35.2 per 1000 live births, and under-fives 43.5 per 1000 live births. These rates are high compared to Sub-Sahara Africa benchmark rates of 24 deaths per 1000 live births as per the World Health Organization statistics. The leading causes of child mortality include respiratory diseases, diarrhoeal diseases, and malaria among others. This has led to increased demand for specialized paediatric care and emergency services. This necessitated the establishment of a healthcare institution dedicated to paediatric healthcare services. KNH, under the sound and able leadership of Dr. Evanson Kamuri, was given the task of running this facility.
PHOTO | COURTESY The entrance to the new hospital
ISSUE 5 | Kenyatta National Hospital Newsline
It is important to note that KNH, being at the apex of health service delivery in Kenya has the largest concentration of medical experts, covering all the specializations of practice in the country. The hospital is currently the largest referral and teaching hospital in Kenya and the region. The number of children seeking healthcare at KNH constitutes about 18.4 percent, which translates to 322,080 of the total patient workloads of 1.75 million patients per year. This includes emergency care, admissions, and outpatient services.
The Mama Margaret Kenyatta Children Hospital is in Mathare North in Ruaraka constituency with a catchment population of 192,620 and covers an area of 7.20 km²..
This makes KNH the most suitable national referral facility to take over the institution, which will also provide facilities for training and research in child health care and support other referring facilities through capacity building and knowledge. The Mama Margaret Kenyatta Children Hospital is in Mathare North in Ruaraka constituency with a catchment population of 192,620 and covers an area of 7.20 km². The Construction of the facility commenced in 1989 but later stalled. The five-story building was then revived in 2012 by the Government, which oversaw its construction and completion under the supervision of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS). The facility has a capacity of 350-bed complete with CT Scan services, theatre, mortuary, kitchen, laundry, and staff accommodation for seventy households.
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Testimonials
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Marketing & Communication Department Design Concept Team: Dave Opiyo, Edel Q. Mwende, Yvonne Gichuru & Collins Cheruiyot Editorial Team: Dave Opiyo , Jacquiline Ngure & Edel Q. Mwende Stories: Dave Opiyo & Edel Q. Mwende Design By: Collins Cheruiyot Photos: Thellesi, Moses Njomo, Edel Q. Mwende & Nicholas Wamalwa Tel: +254 20 2726300-9 Ext. 43121 or 43969 Fax: +254 20 272572 Email: caffairs@knh.or.ke knh.caffairs@gmail.com
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