Nairobi: The Nairobi Hospital has introduced its Home Blood Collection Service, a transformative initiative aimed at improving healthcare access and convenience for patients across Nairobi.
According to Kenya News Agency, the service targets individuals with chronic or acute illnesses, persons living with disabilities, expectant mothers, children, and busy professionals who may find it challenging to visit the hospital for routine laboratory tests.
Speaking at the launch event, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Felix Osano highlighted that the initiative aligns with the hospital's commitment to enhancing patient-centred care and leveraging innovation to improve service delivery. He emphasized that this service allows patients to receive care at their workplaces or homes, saving valuable time and ensuring that vulnerable individuals are not inconvenienced.
Mr. Osano noted that the hospital has made deliberate investments in infrastructure and resources to improve patient outcomes through efficient and timely healthcare delivery. Patients seeking the service can place requests through a dedicated contact number or email. Licensed phlebotomists will then be dispatched to collect samples, which will be processed at the hospital's main laboratory.
The Nairobi Hospital's Chief Pathologist, Dr. Rahul Zode, stated that the service is available to all patients and is affordable, with a nominal fee of Sh200 per visit, subject to insurance provider approval. He assured that samples would be handled with confidentiality and processed promptly, with results delivered via password-protected email or as hard copies upon request.
Board Chairman of the Kenya Hospital Association, Dr. Barcley Onyambu, expressed that access to healthcare remains a key challenge for many Kenyans and that this initiative is designed to improve accessibility. He mentioned that while the service is currently limited to Nairobi, plans are in place to expand to satellite areas such as Kiambu and eventually to other towns across the country.
Nairobi Hospital Director of Medical Services and Research, Dr. Samuel Odede, emphasized that the hospital's advanced laboratory will support the new service by ensuring high-quality, timely diagnostics. He disclosed that the hospital is also working on other home-based services, including home nursing and telemedicine consultations.
The launch of the Home Blood Collection Service underscores The Nairobi Hospital's continued effort to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery through innovation and patient-focused solutions.