Kenyatta National Hospital launches full digital overhaul with Afya Apex system

KENYA—Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has begun a full transition from manual paper-based systems to a fully integrated digital platform known as Afya Apex, aimed at modernizing operations at Kenya’s largest referral and teaching hospital.

In a notice released on May 3, the hospital confirmed that the digitization program covers clinical, administrative, billing, pharmacy, and patient management services, with the goal of improving efficiency, transparency, and coordination across departments.

The initiative replaces long-standing manual processes that KNH has relied on for more than 125 years, marking one of the most significant operational upgrades in its history.

Afya Apex development and internal configuration

The hospital stated that Afya Apex was designed and configured internally by its own staff, including nurses, consultants, pharmacists, and technical specialists, to ensure the system reflects real clinical workflows and day-to-day operational requirements.

Management explained that this approach strengthens institutional ownership and reduces integration challenges experienced in earlier off-the-shelf systems that did not fully align with hospital processes.

Since 2012, KNH has attempted to deploy three separate digital systems without achieving full-scale adoption, prompting a renewed strategy focused on internal development, system integration, and staff-led configuration.

Rollout timeline and operational adjustments

The current rollout began on April 15 and is scheduled for completion within 90 days as deployment continues progressively across all hospital departments.

During the initial phase, KNH experienced operational disruptions, particularly in discharge processing, which temporarily affected patient clearance, documentation, and billing workflows.

Hospital management acknowledged the delays and issued an apology to patients and families while emphasizing that essential clinical services remained fully operational throughout the transition.

The hospital clarified that the system has not collapsed or failed but continues to stabilize as users adapt to new digital processes and workflows across departments.

Service continuity and patient safety

KNH assured the public that patient care and safety remained the highest priority during the digital transition, with safeguards introduced to maintain uninterrupted service delivery.

It further noted that contingency measures were deployed to ensure no patient was denied treatment or emergency care due to system-related adjustments.

Expected Improvements and Institutional Outlook

Once fully implemented, Afya Apex is expected to improve service delivery by enabling faster access to electronic patient records, streamlined billing procedures, and enhanced coordination among clinical teams.

The hospital also anticipates that the system will strengthen accountability, reduce administrative delays, and align KNH operations with digitally advanced healthcare institutions across Africa.

In recent internal updates, KNH reiterated its commitment to completing the transition while encouraging active staff participation and continuous system refinement during the rollout phase.

Stakeholder engagement and digital shift

Hospital leadership has called on staff, patients, and stakeholders to support the transition process, emphasizing that cooperation is essential for the successful implementation of the digital platform.

KNH described digitization as a necessary step in modern healthcare delivery, reinforcing its role as a leading referral and teaching institution serving the country and the wider region.

Deployment oversight continues as departments migrate fully onto the new platform.