Health workers withdraw services from Kianda 42 hospital in Kibra over insecurity

Residents of Sarang'ombe Ward and other areas within Kibra sub-county are now forced to seek medical services elsewhere after health providers' unions withdrew their members from Kianda 42 level 4 hospital over insecurity.

Early Tuesday, several struggling patients arrived one by one at the facility but found the damaged doors locked, forcing community health promoters to turn them away.

According to a dispatch dated May 27, 2024 and signed by Nairobi County Health Caucus Chairperson Boaz Onchari, the decision was arrived at after consultation with stakeholders and will stand until staff are assured of their security.

“It has come to the unions’ attention that our members were attacked on Sunday night at 1am by unknown individuals who up to now have not been brought to book,” the statement read in part.

The closure of the facility has exposed locals who depended on the affordable services offered, mostly women and children, to uncertainty.

A community health promoter, Evanse Ndung’u, said; “It is so unfortunate, like now there is a woman here who is heading home now because the facility is closed. She is a pregnant woman, and the facility is closed because of insecurity. So we are calling upon the national government and county government to provide security for the facility."

It is said the perpetrators who rode on motorbikes tried to forcefully gain entry into the facility during the wee hours before smashing the doors.

The facility which was constructed by the now defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) under Lt. General Mohamed Badi in 2021 has no wall and gates to deter intruders.

Kibra Deputy County Commissioner Jacob Odidi distanced himself from the incident saying it is upon the county government to ensure the facility is properly secured.