Dr. Stephen Muhudhia delivers keynote address during the patient and family centred care symposium.
Patient care drives the healthcare system. These were sentiments by the healthcare stakeholders as they gathered on 31.03.23 for a symposium dabbed patient and family centred care at the Kenyatta National Hospital Training, Research and Innovation Centre.
The main aim of this Symposium organised by the University of Nairobi, Faculty of Health Sciences in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Kenyatta National Hospital was to share, understand and come up with solutions and ideas on better quality patient care.
The event was graced by Dr. Irene Inwani of Kenyatta National Hospital, Prof. George Osanjo Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences-University if Nairobi and Dr. Simon Kibias from the ministry of health. Prof. Osanjo in his opening remarks praised the positive initiative to improve patient care through patient centred care. He encouraged improvement of the initiative through more consultation of the patients and adapting a positive attitude as healthcare providers to patients’ opinions and ideas to improve treatment and healthcare.
The key-note speaker Dr. Stephen Muhuthia of the Nairobi Hospital addressed the attendees on the role of the patient’s voice in patient centred care. The patient’s voice includes their opinions, ideas and suggestions on improvement of delivery of healthcare services to them not only at the institutional level but at universal level to help other patients receive better care. As healthcare providers and policy makers they have a role to listen and put into consideration the patient’s voice as the centre of their caregiving.
Oncology patients especially undergo a lot of pressure and worry whenever they are diagnosed with cancer. Their journey through the radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgeries can be very dark days for them since most of them barely know what exactly the treatment and the future holds for them. Dr. Joan Osoro of MP Shah hospital- Oncology shared extensively on patient journey and experience at her practising hospital.
A panel discussion by religious leaders tackled the role of religion and spiritual support in Person centred care. Ensuring spiritual rights and needs of the patients are fulfilled was among the key points discussed during this session.
Other issues discussed during the symposium included shared decision making and coordination of care, training and practice of person-centred care and promotion of patient centred care for special populations including children, refugees and prisoners.
In attendance were staff representatives from various stakeholders of the Health sector including NHIF, Quality Assurance and Regulation Directorate, KMTC, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Many doctors from leading health facilities were also present.
The symposium ended successfully with exchange of multiple ideas on improvement and propelling of Patient Centred Care.
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