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COVID-19: Why Nairobi Hospital shut down its 6 satellite clinics

Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 15:18 | By

The Nairobi Hospital has suspended operations at all its six satellite clinics to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“With acceleration in the number of new cases being reported, the battle with COVID-19 now moves into the inpatient space. We are recalling all staff from our satellite and other clinics to the main hospital to support inpatient management,” the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Allan Pamba said on Thursday.

Dr Pamba also said the hospital had also established a 100 plus bed capacity residence for healthcare staff who may be required to stay at the main hospital to manage disease.

The move, he said, was aimed at moving human capital and resources to the main hospital for purposes of consolidating the hospital’s Covid-19 inpatient management infrastructure.

The Anderson specialty clinics at the Main Hospital, as a result, will no longer accept walk-ins.

“High risk obstetrics, vaccination clinic and Family Health clinic will be seen on appointment basis only,” the CEO directed.

Those seeking to book an appointment have been advised to call 0730 666860/1/7 or 0703 082 860/1/7.

The new operating hours of the clinics are Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm while Consultant staff are conducting their non-emergency consultations via telemedicine.

The closed satellite hospitals include Galleria Mall, Warwick Centre, Kiambu Mall, Rosslyn Riviera Mall, Southfield Mall and Capital Centre. Staff from satellite facilities will now work at the main hospital that is expanding isolation and quarantine units.

All patients requiring medical attention are advised to come to the Main Hospitals 24-hour Accident and Emergency Unit.

“Patients coming to the hospital will continue to be screened for COVID-19 prior to accessing the Accident and Emergency Unit. Suspected COVID - 19 patients are directed to a separate isolation area. This protocol minimizes exposure of non-COVID-19 patients seeking emergency care.”

The CEO told persons visiting healthcare facilities to disclose their history of travel, any history of fever and any contact with a person suspected of having COVID – 19 to minimize probability of spreading the virus.

Failure to disclose pertinent details puts health workers at risk and delays implementation of COVID – 19 protocols to save lives, he said.
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“Delay of implementation of COVID-19 protocols can compromise quality of healthcare and may lead to unnecessary deaths,” he said.

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