Doctors Cite Overcrowding as Major Cause of Delayed Surgeries

Health professionals at key public hospitals in Kenya are increasingly pointing to overcrowding as a leading reason for delays in surgical procedures. According to reports, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is receiving a surge of patients, especially referrals from counties affected by strikes or system inefficiencies, which has pushed critical units such as theatres and recovery wards to—and beyond—their capacity.
This strain is contributing to long waiting times for patients who require surgical care. With wards operating above capacity, doctors say it’s difficult to schedule and manage surgical lists effectively. Staff morale is reportedly suffering, and the limited theatre space means that some patients are repeatedly rescheduled, which can worsen their conditions.
A systemic review by health experts also links the overcrowding to broader resource gaps, including equipment shortages, underfunded infrastructure projects, and delayed procurement in county hospitals—factors that make it harder for hospitals to maintain consistent and efficient surgical services. Meanwhile, auditors have raised concerns that many hospitals are not fully equipped to handle the high patient volumes, placing strain on operating theatres and delaying procedures.
In response, health-sector leaders are calling for urgent reforms. Proposals include expanding bed capacity in major hospitals, better managing patient referrals from counties experiencing service disruptions, and increasing investment in theatre infrastructure. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has also announced plans to add more ICU beds—aimed at decongesting major referral hospitals and improving the flow of surgical patients.