HISTORY

Bynairobihospital

Achievement: The purchase of the Maia Carberry Nursing home, now Kenya School Of Law

Achievement: the purchase of the Maia Carberry Nursing home now Kenya School Of Law

The association’s first achievement under its first chairman, prominent Nairobi businessman Rudolf Anderson, was the purchase of the Maia Carberry Nursing home (now the Kenya School of Law). The nursing home was converted to a men’s hospital. The association then built the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (now The University of Nairobi Dental School) which was opened in 1952 and named after Princess Elizabeth who had then visited Kenya. The hospital was dedicated to healthcare for women.

Officially Opened, On 9th April 1954 by the Ag. Governor Sir Fredrick Crawford (later Governor of Uganda)

On 9th April 1954, a showery Friday afternoon, The Nairobi Hospital was officially opened by the Ag. Governor Sir Fredrick Crawford (later Governor of Uganda). It consisted of four wards (today’s Maternity and Labor ward, St. David’s, St. Andrew’s and St. George’s wards. Other facilities included two theatres, casualty, x-ray, pharmacy and laboratory departments.NairobiHospital1954

Dr. William Hopkirk, a radiologist, pharmacist George Mercer and Dr. Henderson Begg, a pathologist with the help of two physiotherapists, Miss. Vera Spencer and Mrs. Irene Robinson pioneered medical services to both in and out patients in The Nairobi Hospital. They rented space around the casualty and brought their own equipment and medicine for which they charged fees to the patients. This was necessitated by the fact that the Kenya European Hospital Association now known as Kenya Hospital Association which had built the hospital could not raise the funds required to equip the hospital and employ specialists.

In 1956, Cicely McDonnell School of Nursing was officially opened by the Kenya Hospital Association

60 nurses graduate every year from this school

In 1956, the Kenya Hospital Association opened the Cicely McDonnell School of Nursing, the first privately owned nursing school in pre-independence Kenya. Headed by Miss Campbell, the first sister tutor, the school admitted only five white students.

Today, 60 nurses graduate every year from the school and it is the only institution in Kenya that trains hospital-based Kenya Registered Nurses. The institution is funded by the Nairobi Hospital.

Nairobi Hospital Foundation Plaque

8th March 1956: Opening of Cicely McDonnell School of Nursing by Mrs. Mary Baring

foundation_plaqueOpening of Cicely McDonnell School of Nursing by Mrs. Mary Baring, Wife of the Governor of Kenya on 8th March 1956

19th OCT 1961: Dropping of the European Orientation.

Cicely McDonnell School of Nursing was now open to all races…

On 19th October 1961, a major milestone was made in the history of The Nairobi Hospital, in a meeting held at the Stanley
Hotel, the board agreed to drop the European orientation and the hospital was now open to all races in regard to patients, medical and nursing staff.

1962, first admission of african students at the Cicely McDonnell School of nursing.

The following year, 1962, saw the admission of the first African students at the Cicely McDonnell School of nursing.

Independence

1963: Kenya Hospital Association sold the Maia Carberry Nursing Home & Princess Elizabeth Hospital

Independence in Kenya resulted in an exodus of Europeans and consequently the hospital’s patient population dropped dramatically. The financial difficulties that followed made readjustments necessary; the Kenya Hospital Association sold the Maia Carberry Nursing Home to the government in 1963 and the Princess Elizabeth Hospital was also sold soon after thus concentrating the Nairobi Hospital to its present size. The Association took over the Laboratory of Clinical Medicine (now Jubilee House) and moved it to the hospital premises.

The seventies brought marked growth in the hospital’s capacity development.

1970: An intensive Care Unit with only 4 beds opened.

Britannia Ward (now St. George’s wards)

In 1970, an Intensive Care Unit with only four beds was opened on Britannia Ward (now St. George’s wards). A third theatre was also constructed and an open corridor that led to the theatres was closed to reduce human traffic near the operating rooms.

1972: Growth

In 1972, the casualty was enlarged with provision for consulting rooms above it. Additional staff quarters, a staff clinic and a school for their children were also constructed.

1974: Opening of the North Wing, dabbed ‘Hilton on the Hill’

Five star accommodation and facilities for President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta

In 1974, the North Wing, dabbed ‘Hilton on the Hill’ was opened providing spacious five star accommodation and facilities. This was partly intended for the reception of the aging and ailing President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. He was to occupy the top floor and his entourage was to occupy the rest of the six rooms.

1978: First kidney transplant

The first kidney transplant performed at the Nairobi Hospital in 1978 on a patient named Koko.

1980: Dr. Shem Musoke became A & E Coordinator

Survived an attack

Dr. Shem Musoke, (later became A & E Coordinator) survived an attack of Marburg Fever disease contracted from a patient.

31st December 1980: 41 casualties admitted.

Handled the crisis efficiently

On 31st December 1980, the Norfolk Hotel was bombed and The Nairobi Hospital handled the crisis efficiently with 41 casualties admitted.

21st April 1997: Tuberculosis section set up lab.

Diagnosing TB became possible

On 21st April 1997, the Nairobi Hospital laboratory set up a Tuberculosis section for diagnosing TB cases.

August 1997: First ever Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Course was offered.

Over 60 doctors and nurses enrolled for A.T.L.S

August 1997: The Hospital conducted its first ever Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Course to over 60 doctors and nurses

August 7th 1998: 200 casualties received after bomblast.

Unfortunate

August 7th 1998: The United States Embassy in Kenya was bombed. Two hundred casualties were received at the hospital within the first 30 minutes.

2002: The first operative laparascopic surgery was carried out.
4th October 2002: A new patient care Medical Scheme was launched.
Down Memory Lane

  • Old bed and back rest replaced by new adjustable electric bed
  • Bed pans Devices used for patients elimination while confined in bed.
  • Former – manual washing; Current – paper disposable
  • Steaming inhalers
  • Old operating theatre
  • Modern Endoscopy Machine
  • Cardiac Angiography System machine

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