How emergency response failed Baby Travis in his hour of need

Travis Maina died at the Kenyatta National Hospital on October 11, 2022, after being hit with a fork jembe in Ndula village, Thika East Kiambu.

Unfortunately, these cases were purely about poor responses to medical emergencies. The emergency was not what the child presented with, but the need for initial resuscitation and ensuring the patient is comfortable, meaning they are not in pain, even though the theatre was not available. 

Kenya Emergency Medical Care Policy 2020-2030

The Ministry of Health, today, launched the Kenya Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Policy 2020-2030 and the Kenya Emergency Medical Care Strategy 2020-2025, to promote healthcare among citizens in need of emergency treatment. The Kenya Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Policy 2020-2030 is the first-ever policy in Kenya that seeks to establish a working Emergency Medical Care (EMC) System as a key component of the healthcare system in the country. The policy also speaks to the World Health Assembly resolution WHA 72.16 of 21 May 2019 which urged member states to create policies for sustainable funding, effective governance and universal access to safe, high-quality, needs-based emergency care for all as part of universal health coverage. In developing this policy, the Ministry of Health (MOH) aims to ensure access to the highest standards of emergency medical care in Kenya as envisioned in The Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the Health Act (2017) which guarantees every Kenyan the right to emergency medical treatment.

Machakos County: A Model for Emergency Care in the Counties

Machakos County is currently leading in the adoption of the Kenya Emergency Medical Care Policy 2020-2030 developed by the Ministry of Health. Based on the WHO Emergency Care Systems Framework, the Machakos County Emergency Medical Care System is proof that we can have a functioning emergency care system across the different Counties and across the Country.

Wahome Gakuru died due to lack of emergency services, driver says

There were no efforts by emergency response teams to rescue former Nyeri governor Wahome Gakuru after he got involved in a grisly road accident along Nairobi-Kenol highway, an inquest heard Thursday.

Mr Gakuru, who was only 77 days old in office, stayed inside the car’s wreckage at the scene of the accident while bleeding profusely and writhing in pain for about 45 minutes with his aides and members of the public struggling to rescue him.

Public health facilities in Kenya with emergency services now on Google maps

Charles Murito - Country Manager, Google Kenya explains the partnership with EMK Foundation to improve access to emergency care in Kenya through Google.

Google in partnership with Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation (EMKF), Ministry of Health and BP Systems Online, have mapped public hospitals with emergency medical care services across the country on Search and Maps enabling Kenyans to navigate online with ease by searching “emergency centre near me” and find their closest hospital as part of Project 47: Emergency Departments in 47 Counties . Additionally, patients can now easily find opening times, contact numbers and the emergency services offered in the public hospitals online.