Welcome to Guru Nanak, the hospital with a caring heart

By Felix Olick

Tales of hospitals sending away patients who cannot foot their medical bills are galore. In fact, many private hospitals operate on a ‘pay first’ principle despite their high cost of treatment.

But there is a story of hope at the Guru Nanak Ramgarhia Sikh Hospital, a private facility located in Nairobi’s Ngara area. The hospital has restored hopes of the many otherwise disillusioned patients and given them a reason to smile even in times of sickness.

The hospital is motivated by service to humanity. And it is for this devotion that it continues to receive numerous accolades for their exemplary and quality services.

In 2008, National Hospital Insurance Fund awarded them a certificate as the best faith-based private hospital in the region.

Last week, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka toured the facility to encourage the doctors and the management to continue with their enviable work.

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The inspiring story of Penina Nekesa, who underwent a successful heart surgery at the facility, is their most recent success story.

The story "How Penina got her heart’s desire" was highlighted by The Standard last week and touched the hearts of many.

Free treatment

The 29-year-old was plagued by financial difficulty but was operated at the hospital for free, thanks to collaboration between Guru Nanak and Pan Africa Heart Foundation.

Open-heart surgery is a complicated operation that is expensive even in developed countries. But the hospital has now invested in cutting-edge technology to provide subsidised open-heart surgery and post-operative care that has in the past been a dream in Kenya.

And their investment in state-of-the-art equipment is motivated by the need for effective diagnosis and treatment.

"The heart surgery machine alone cost the hospital Sh4.5 million. We have invested a lot in equipment because it’s the success to effective diagnosis and treatment," said Ravi Kaul, the hospital CEO.

In their 15-year partnership, Guru Nanak and the Foundation have brought hope to patients who had given up due to high cost of treatment. The team recently screened 1,500 students from Jamhuri High School in Nairobi. Six of 12 patients identified during the exercise require immediate medical attention.

"Many people die in Kenya from the killer disease because of the high cost of treatment. Our desire is to provide the treatment at a more subsidised cost," says Jaswinder Virdi, the hospital chairman.

As part of their social corporate responsibility, the hospital has conducted numerous medical camps to the community around the hospital free of charge. And because of their affordable treatment packages, the number of inpatients and outpatients has increased considerably.

The hospital attends to an average of 130 outpatients daily. It has upgraded its operating theatres and equipment and refurbished its maternity and nursery to be mother and child friendly.

Because of the need for emergency services, they have also invested in well-equipped ambulances.

"We have 55 consultants affiliated with the hospital from all disciplines and seven resident medical officers," said the CEO.

The Guru Nanak boss says patients have access to maternity, medical, surgical, gynecological and outpatient services.

The facility, which is fully computerised, is adequately stocked and open 24 hours. They have a general ward, High Dependency Unit and private rooms with a paediatric unit.

The hospital also has casualty, dental, physiotherapy, wellness centre, labour ward, delivery unit and specialised clinics.