Patient Information

Specialist care, closer to home

KNH Telemedicine connects patients at county hospitals across Kenya to world-class specialists at Kenyatta National Hospital โ€” without the journey to Nairobi.

14+
Counties served
4.2h
Avg. specialist response
68%
Resolved without transfer
2,400+
Patients helped
What is it?

Telemedicine: specialist care through a screen

Telemedicine lets your doctor at a county hospital consult a KNH specialist about your case โ€” sharing your test results, scans, and medical history securely, often in hours instead of weeks.

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Video Consultations

Your doctor speaks face-to-face with a KNH specialist via a secure encrypted video call. You may join if your doctor recommends it.

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Tele-Radiology

Your X-rays, CT scans, and MRI images are reviewed remotely by KNH radiologists. Reports come back in hours, not days.

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Case Review

A specialist reviews your full clinical history, lab results, and notes, then provides a treatment recommendation to your doctor.

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Transfer Decisions

If you need to come to KNH in Nairobi, a specialist determines this first โ€” so the journey is always necessary and prepared for.

Step by step

What happens when you're referred

Your county hospital doctor manages the referral process. Here is what typically happens from your perspective.

1

Your doctor decides a specialist is needed

Your treating doctor at the county hospital determines that your case needs specialist input โ€” for example, a neurologist, oncologist, or paediatrician at KNH.

You will be told why and asked for consent
2

Your consent is obtained

Before any referral is sent, your doctor will ask for your written consent to share your clinical information with KNH specialists via the secure platform.

You can ask questions before consenting
3

Your case is sent securely

Your doctor submits a referral including your symptoms, diagnosis, test results, and scan images. Everything is encrypted and only accessible to authorised medical staff.

Your identity is protected โ€” only initials and case numbers are used
4

A KNH specialist reviews your case

A consultant at KNH receives your case, reviews all the information, and may request additional tests or a video consultation with your doctor.

Emergency cases are reviewed within 4 hours
5

You receive a specialist recommendation

The specialist provides a recommendation. This could be a treatment plan for your county hospital, a follow-up video call, or a planned physical referral to KNH if essential.

Your doctor explains the recommendation to you
6

Your care continues

Whether you stay at your county hospital with a specialist-guided plan, or are transferred to KNH, you will always know the next step in your care.

What to expect

Before, during, and after your teleconsult

If your doctor arranges a video consultation that includes you, here's what to expect at each stage.

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Before the Consult

Your doctor will explain the purpose. You may be asked to bring recent prescriptions or previous results. Ensure you have a quiet space if you are joining a video call.

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During the Consult

A KNH specialist will join via video from Nairobi. They may ask you questions directly, examine you remotely (e.g. ask you to move a limb), and discuss your diagnosis and treatment.

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After the Consult

A written summary is sent to your doctor. You are entitled to a copy. Any prescriptions, investigations, or follow-up plans will be communicated clearly before you leave.

Your rights

Privacy, consent, and your rights as a patient

KNH Telemedicine is built on a foundation of patient rights. Here is what you are always entitled to.

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The right to give or refuse consentNo information about you will be shared without your written consent. You can withdraw consent at any time, and this will not affect your care.
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The right to data privacyYour clinical data is encrypted end-to-end. Only authorised KNH and county hospital staff can access your records. Your identity is protected using initials and case numbers.
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The right to a copy of your recordsYou may request a copy of your referral, the specialist's recommendation, and any telemedicine session notes. Speak to your doctor or the facility's records office.
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The right to ask questionsYou can ask your doctor to explain any part of the telemedicine process, the specialist's recommendation, or why a physical transfer is or is not recommended.
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The right to standard of careWhether you are treated at a county hospital or at KNH, you are entitled to the same standard of specialist-guided care. Telemedicine is not a lesser service.
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The right to raise a concernIf you have a concern about your telemedicine referral, speak to the facility's patient welfare officer or contact KNH directly at 020 272 6300.
Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Does telemedicine replace a visit to KNH?
Not always โ€” and that's the point. Many cases can be fully managed at a county hospital once a KNH specialist has reviewed the case and provided a treatment plan. This saves you the cost and risk of travelling to Nairobi. If a physical visit is truly necessary, your specialist will arrange it properly in advance.
Will I always be on the video call?
Not necessarily. Most teleconsults happen between doctors only โ€” your county doctor presents your case to the KNH specialist. However, your doctor may invite you to join if it would help, for example if the specialist wants to speak with you directly or observe a physical symptom.
Is my medical information safe?
Yes. The platform uses end-to-end encryption, role-based access controls, and a full audit trail. Your data is stored and handled in compliance with Kenya's Ministry of Health data governance policies. Only the doctors directly involved in your care can access your records.
How quickly will the specialist respond?
Emergency cases are triaged for response within 4 hours. Priority cases are typically reviewed within 12โ€“24 hours. Routine referrals within 48โ€“72 hours. Your doctor will tell you the expected timeline when the referral is submitted.
What if I speak a language other than English or Swahili?
Your treating doctor at the county hospital will always be your primary communicator and interpreter. The written recommendation from the specialist will be translated and explained to you by your doctor in a language you understand.
Does it cost extra to be referred via telemedicine?
The telemedicine referral itself does not carry an additional charge for patients. Applicable consultation fees at your county hospital may apply as usual. Physical transfer to KNH, if required, may carry transport and admission costs โ€” these are discussed with you in advance.
Which counties is this available in?
The platform currently serves Kisumu, Mombasa, Garissa, Makueni, Kakamega, Embu, Nakuru, and 7 more counties in active roll-out. Your county hospital doctor will know whether your facility is currently connected.

Questions about your referral?

Speak to your county hospital doctor, or contact KNH Patient Welfare directly.

๐Ÿ“ž Call KNH: 020 272 6300