KNH new rules on patient visits

The Kenyatta National Hospital has announced a number of changes regarding visits to the facility.

As one of the centres charged with containing Covid-19, the hospital stated that there will be strict controls for those who intend to access the facility.

According to a statement signed by KNH CEO Dr Evanson Kamuri, the move is aimed at decongesting the hospital and to ensure social distancing.

Going forward:

• Patient visitation is not allowed and only family/relatives of patients who have been contacted by the hospital will be given access for purposes like blood/organ donations, bill payment and discharge of patients.
• Only one relative per patient will be allowed access to facilitate the stated purposes.
• All persons allowed access to the hospital must wash or disinfect their hands using alcohol-based sanitizers, wear masks and practice social distancing.

Elsewhere, Acting Health DG, Dr Patrick Amoth on Tuesday, July 14, announced that 41 members of staff at the Pumwani Maternity hospital tested positive for COVID-19.

While assessing the situation outside the hospital, Dr Amoth said out of the 290 staff that were tested, 19 are healthcare workers, while 22 are support staff.

Dr Amoth also stated that an isolation centre would be created for staff who would not have met the criteria to self-isolate at home.

“Further, we have agreed that beginning today, we’ll have an isolation centre dedicated for staff of the hospital at the school of nursing for those who may not meet the criteria for home-based isolation," said Der. Amoth.

However, he assured Kenyans who want to visit the facility that the hospital is safe.

“The hospital is safe, the staff who are working here are properly trained and we’ll continue to give them support in terms of capacity building and proper gear,” maintained Dr. Amoth.