Doctors demand leadership overhaul at Nairobi Hospital

Consultant doctors from Kenya’s top private hospital have expressed frustration over the current situation at the facility, stating that the hospital’s reputation is declining.

The doctors, who had threatened to go on strike last Monday, say they will not admit new patients to The Nairobi Hospital unless it’s an emergency. However, they will continue to treat the patients already in the hospital.

In a press statement on Monday morning, Dr David Silverstein, famously known for being a former personal doctor to Kenya’s second president, Daniel Moi (deceased), said that the hospital, where he has worked for almost five decades, needs a leadership overhaul to reinstate its previous status.

Just last week, The Nairobi Hospital board responded to the doctors’ threats to down their tools as being ‘choreographed’ and ‘out of frustration’.

In a rejoinder, the doctors distance themselves from any purported drama, saying that they are frustrated by the system and that they are doing it for the welfare of the patients and not for themselves.

“The truth is that all this is not choreographed. I wouldn’t be here if it were choreographed, I certainly do not like being in the public eye unnecessarily,” said Dr Silverstein.

Dr Frank Mwongera, a nephrologist (kidney specialist) at the hospital, termed the ‘choreographed’ allegations as one that undermines them and does not depict the efforts that so many consultants have made to correct the mess happening in The Nairobi Hospital.

“We would not be here because we are fighting over certain positions; anybody who has come here is not interested in any board position. What we want is to correct the mess that is in The Nairobi Hospital,” he said.

“The Nairobi Hospital has been bleeding for the last four years to the extent where major suppliers of drugs or vital equipment required to treat the patients are not doing that anymore. This should worry anybody who cares about the patients at Nairobi Hospital. Staff have now been demoralised. Quite a number of them were fired, but those who can get jobs elsewhere are doing so,” he explained.

Dr Job Obwaka, an obstetrician-gynaecologist, alleged that some services, such as doctors’ admission rights, are being threatened.

“This is a big blow to upcoming doctors who are being coached. This has trickled down to the nurses as well as other cadres. Right now, the hospital is in the Intensive Care Unit, it will take a lot of effort to bring it back to the premier institution that it has been,” he said.

The doctors decry the emphasis on projects and not on service delivery for the client (patients).

“You cannot develop state-of-the-art projects and forget why you are there. We exist because of the clients. That is a big element of frustration and soon we may see brain drain from The Nairobi Hospital,” he said.

The doctors say that the availability of theatre for the surgeons can be frustrating.

“If I have a patient now, it will not take less than three or four hours before getting help. We sit in the doctor’s waiting room for about six hours. That works negatively, and exposes patients to dangers of prolonged waiting time,” he said.

Dr Silverstein explained that altercations started in 2019 when the board was considered non-functional, and for the first time, the hospital called for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). This resulted in the resignation of some of the board members at the time for their non-commitment to steer the hospital forward.

Before then, the hospital elections for the board were seamless, transparent and competitive and only those who made the cut could get a seat on the table.

During the EGM, some directors were elected to stand in for six months awaiting elections.

Since then, the hospital has had two boards, with four virtual amendments of their constitution.

“The board of directors changed from being non-executive officers to executive board and by amending the constitution, they awarded themselves a generous remuneration. Elections were understandably virtual during the Covid-19 period,” explains Dr Silverstein.

He laments that during the virtual sessions, members of the Kenya Hospital Association, the hospital’s owners, were asked to send their questions virtually, only for those to be cherry-picked to avoid criticism.

Consequently, their issues were allegedly not considered.

“The only way to save our hospital is by an EGM to retire our current board of directors and replace them with new directors,” he said.

In a response to the claims by the consultant doctors and the KHA, the hospital’s board denied any wrongdoing at a press conference last week.

hshikanda@ke.nationmedia.com

AM Live

AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.

BNX

Business Redefined

Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.

Comedies

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Documentaries

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Entertainment

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Full Episodes

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Gumzo La Sato

Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.

Health Diary

Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.

Letter To My Younger Self

Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.

Mazao Talks

Mazao looks at agriculture and agribusiness

Nation Reports

Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.

One Health Lens Podcast

Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Primetime

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Speaking of GEN Z

Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.

Sport On

Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.

Tech-over

The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.

Thamani

Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.

The Politalk podcast

This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.

The Trend

A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.

The trend podcast

The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA

The Wicked Edition

The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience

Trending

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Twende

Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.

Unscripted

This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.

VIP Access

VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.

WADR

This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.

When death do us part

In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.

Your World

Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.