Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) CEO, Dr. Evanson Kamuri, has reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to uninterrupted patient care despite temporary system downtimes. His directive follows a brief disruption on Tuesday that affected the hospital’s electronic payment systems, particularly the e-Citizen and Social Health Authority (SHA) platforms.
In a statement, Dr. Kamuri confirmed that the issue was swiftly addressed, restoring normal operations without denying services to any patients. “The issue was promptly resolved, and normal operations resumed shortly afterward. At no time were patients denied services during this period,” he said.
Dr. Kamuri emphasized that patients, especially those undergoing critical treatments such as dialysis and cancer care, must continue receiving medical attention even in the face of technical challenges. He assured that in any future system failures, patients should not experience delays or denials of service. “I have consequently directed that all patients, particularly those on dialysis and cancer treatment, receive uninterrupted care without delay in the event of any future system challenges,” he stated.
To prevent future disruptions, the hospital is implementing proactive measures aimed at enhancing system reliability. Dr. Kamuri assured the public that documentation harmonization would follow once systems are fully operational, ensuring seamless patient service. “The hospital remains committed to delivering seamless service, ensuring that all operations continue even during unforeseen disruptions,” he added.
This statement comes against the backdrop of a prior incident on January 15, when frustrated KNH patients stormed the Ministry of Health Headquarters at Afya House. The protest was triggered by the alleged failure of the SHA system, which led to significant delays in patient clearance and administrative processes.
During a live press conference attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, the disruption prompted an official apology from Dr. Kamuri. He reassured the public that the two-day technical challenge had been resolved and that normal hospital operations had resumed. “Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) wishes to acknowledge a slight lapse in patient care today and reassure the public that the Social Health Authority (SHA) system is now fully operational and aligned with the KNH system,” he said in a statement.
Dr. Kamuri expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to patients and their families, reiterating the hospital’s commitment to ensuring smooth operations even in the face of technical setbacks. Moving forward, KNH aims to fortify its electronic systems to minimize future disruptions, guaranteeing uninterrupted healthcare services for all patients.
