By Eddah Waithaka
The Nairobi Hospital’s leadership today dispelled rumors of instability, showcasing Sh1.5 billion in self-funded infrastructure upgrades including East Africa’s first bi-plane cardiac lab and AI-powered CT scanners while resolving a pricing dispute with insurers to protect patient access.
Financial & Operational Resilience
CEO Felix Osano confirmed all salaries, supplier payments, and investments remain uninterrupted despite a pending court case with creditor Opticom Kenya Ltd.
The hospital’s 2023 surplus of Sh190 million and Q1 2024 performance (Sh88 million surplus) underscore its fiscal health, with upgrades like six next-gen maternity suites and a 256-slice CT scanner financed internally, no loans taken .
Tariff Rollback for Patient Access
A 5% July fee hike, deemed essential after cost benchmarking, sparked insurer suspensions (including Old Mutual and Britam).
The hospital reversed the adjustment following negotiations, restoring pre-hike rates to ensure affordability. “This goodwill gesture prioritizes patients without compromising care standards,” Osano stated .
Governance Reset
Board Chair Dr. Barclay Onyambu acknowledged past fiduciary lapses but highlighted reforms, tightened policies, a High Court victory lifting borrowing restrictions, and a unified Board-Trustee alliance to block future risks.
“Our legal win isn’t just procedural, it’s proof of institutional durability,” he asserted .
Strategic Investments
The Nairobi Hospital has operationalized three transformative healthcare projects: its new bi-plane cardiac cath lab now slashes heart surgery durations from three hours to just 30 minutes, an advanced AI-powered CT scanner significantly reduces radiation exposure while accelerating cancer diagnostics and an innovative home blood collection service expands access for both executives and vulnerable populations at an affordable Sh200 per visit
The hospital reiterated its ISO-certified standards and pursuit of Joint Commission International accreditation, framing its Sh844 million 2023/24 equipment spend as a pledge to “global-class care on Kenyan soil” .
“Leadership means owning past missteps while delivering future-proof solutions,” Onyambu concluded, citing a 70% bed occupancy rate and 30+ regional excellence awards as markers of stability .
