Saturday, February 11, 2012

Hospice ordered to leave KNH



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PHOTO/FILE  The Nairobi Hospice which offers palliative care to about 5,000 cancer patients every month.  KNH gave the hospice a two-month notice to vacate their premises inside the hospital’s compound.
PHOTO/FILE The Nairobi Hospice which offers palliative care to about 5,000 cancer patients every month. KNH gave the hospice a two-month notice to vacate their premises inside the hospital’s compound. 
By ARTHUR OKWEMBA
Posted  Friday, February 10  2012 at  22:30
Anxiety has gripped patients and health officers at the Nairobi Hospice after Kenyatta National Hospital gave them a two-month notice to vacate their premises inside the hospital’s compound.
The hospice, which offers palliative care to about 5,000 cancer patients every month, said that the decision was going to have serious implications on patients and delivery of services across the country.
According to a letter written by Kenyatta National Hospital chief executive Richard L. Lesiyampe, the hospital needs the space for expansion.
“Kenyatta National Hospital intends to improve outpatient services by putting up facilities for walk-in patients.
"Plans are also at an advanced stage to develop a modern day care centre on the land where Nairobi Hospice is currently situated,” says the letter dated February 2, 2012.
In a quick and robust response, the management of the hospice has written to the hospital complaining that the notice of two months is too short.
The hospice has been in existence for 22 years since it was opened in 1990 by Mr Mwai Kibaki, then the Minister for Health.
“The letter is a ‘bombshell’ and 60 days is impractical,” laments the hospice in its letter dated February 8.
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“This is the first letter that the hospice has received from the hospital asking it to vacate the land,” the hospice says.
“The CEO of Kenyatta National Hospital is a director of the Nairobi Hospice and is therefore aware of the efforts the hospice is making to move to its own premises,” the response continued.
Dr Sobbie Mulindi, the chairperson of the hospice, said he could not comment until the board had discussed the matter.
Grace period
The hospice chief executive Bridget Sirengo also declined to comment, saying only the board can issue a statement.
The hospice wants a grace period of up to 24 months to find new premises.
It cites several reasons for this request.

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