The Kenyatta National Hospital is the oldest hospital in

Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

. It is a public, tertiary, referral hospital for the Ministry of Health. It is also the teaching hospital of the University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences. It is the 2nd largest hospital in the country and East Africa as well.

Location

The hospital is located in the area to the immediate west of Upper Hill in

Nairobi Nairobi ( ) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name is derived from the Maasai phrase ''Enkare Nairobi'', which translates to "place of cool waters", a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. The city proper ha ...

, the capital and largest city of Kenya. Its location is about west of the city's central business district. The hospital complex measures .

Overview

KNH was founded as the Native Civil hospital, in 1901 with a bed capacity of 40. In 1952 it was renamed the ''King George VI Hospital'', after

King George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of Ind ...

the United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

. At that time the settler community was served by the nearby ''European Hospital'' (now

Nairobi Hospital The Nairobi Hospital is a private hospital located in upperhill area, Nairobi, Kenya.The hospital was founded in 1954 as a European hospital. Location It is located along Argwings Kodhek Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi. The hospital is located approx ...

). The facility was renamed Kenyatta National Hospital, after

Jomo Kenyatta Jomo Kenyatta (22 August 1978) was a Kenyan anti-colonial activist and politician who governed Kenya as its Prime Minister from 1963 to 1964 and then as its first President from 1964 to his death in 1978. He was the country's first indigenous ...

, following independence from the British. It is currently the largest referral and teaching hospital in the country. Kenyatta National Hospital employs over 6,000 staff and has a bed capacity if 1,800. However, due to congestion, the patient numbers can rise as high as 3,000.

Administration

The hospital is administered by a 10-person board of directors, chaired by George Ooko, a non-physician, non-executive board member. The chief executive officer is Dr Evanson Kamuri. The principal of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Nairobi and representatives from the

Ministry of Finance A ministry of finance is a part of the government in most countries that is responsible for matters related to the finance. Lists of current ministries of finance Named "Ministry" * Ministry of Finance (Afghanistan) * Ministry of Finance and Eco ...

and from the Ministry of Health, also sit on the board. It also serves as a teaching hospital of the Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi campus among many other institutions that are affiliated to the facility due to its advanced specialisation in medical services in the country and beyond. KNH serves as the teaching hospital of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Nairobi.

Notable staff

Shitsama Nyamweya Sylvia Shitsama Nyamweya (née Sylvia Shitsama), is a Kenyan consultant neurosurgeon at the Kenyatta National Referral Hospital. She is the first female neurosurgeon in Kenya and one of a handful of female neurosurgeons in the country. Backgro ...

, neurosurgeon *

Jemimah Kariuki Jemimah Kariuki is a Kenyan doctor specializing in preventive medicine, maternal and child health. During the COVID19 pandemic she organised an ambulance service which enabled pregnant women to access maternity care. She was listed as one of the ...

, gynaecologist

References

External links