Jhpiego learning exchange visit to the KNH Gender Based Violence Recovery Center

By Doreen Mbae & Steven Arwa

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) partners and works with like-minded institutions to come up with ideas on improving quality of healthcare services as well as leading advances in the medical field.

The Mental Health Department at KNH, recently hosted Jhpiego, an international non-governmental organization and an affiliate of John Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics.

The Chairman of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) committee and Head of Mental Health Department, Dr. Ian Kanyanya addressing the JHPEIGO team during their visit to the department.

PHOTO | STEVE ARWA

The Jhpiego group experienced how KNH manages its Gender Based Violence Recovery Centre (GBVRC) and exchanged ideas on gender equity and inclusive healthcare services.

The visit was on 19th April, 2023, comprising of 25 people in which 19 countries were represented; Madagascar, USA, Mozambique, Indonesia, Zambia, Lesotho, Tanzania, Lesotho, South Sudan, Guatemala, Malawi, India, Mali, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Cote d’ivorie, Togo, Gaborone and Kenya.

The learning exchange started with some history of GBVRC and services since its inception by the chairman of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) committee and Head of Department Mental Health Dr. Ian Kanyanya.

His remarks entailed the successes and challenges of the center to date. “Former First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta opened the center on 8th December, 2015 as the world was marking 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence targeting victims of SGBV across the country.

“In September, 2019 the SGBV services were made free of charge at the facility. The partner by name COEHM – Project of the University of Nairobi coordinated by Dr. Jared Mecha, supported us greatly in the transition process. The scheme is entirely owned by the Hospital; hence it is sustainable unlike previous years,” said Mr. Kanyanya.

Some of the striking positive aspects that the Jhpiego team identified were; the integration of SGBV services with various service delivery points within the facility, well-trained personnel and Continuous Medical Education and capacity building offered to service providers.

The team visited the Accident & Emergency Department which is one of the major entry points at the Hospital and they were taken through the different processes of how patients are received, SGBV survivors identified, fast-tracked, and provided with the post-violence care package.

Ms. Doreen Mbae, a Psychologist and GBV Team Lead – KNH CONNECT Project while on tour with her colleagues took the Jhpiego team through the various services provided at different service points.

She also acknowledged the success of the SGBV services at KNH were due to the amazing teamwork noted from GBV providers and their willingness to work tirelessly and selflessly to ensure that quality healthcare services are provided to patients and survivors of SGBV.

The Jhpiego team commended the great work being done by the KNH GBV team. As a level 6 referral hospital, KNH is at the forefront of setting the right example when it comes to tackling challenges that comes with SGBV.

Susan Ruturi, A nurse, Psychologist and an expertise on GBV Comprehensive management addressing the JHPEIGO team during their visit to Accident and Emergency (A&E) gender based violence centre

PHOTO | STEVE ARWA