The Nairobi Hospital has successfully completed the training and certification of more than 50 police officers and government officials in a landmark Basic Emergency and Basic Life Support (BLS) course aimed at strengthening Kenya’s emergency response framework.
Nairobi, 2nd March 2026
By Stella Ranji
The Nairobi Hospital has successfully completed the training and certification of more than 50 police officers and government officials in a landmark Basic Emergency and Basic Life Support (BLS) course aimed at strengthening Kenya’s emergency response framework.
The officers, drawn from the Administration Police Service, the Kenya Prisons Service and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), underwent the day-long intensive training delivered in partnership with the Cicely McDonnell College of Health Sciences.
The initiative forms part of The Nairobi Hospital’s ongoing 70th Anniversary celebrations and is designed to bridge critical gaps in Kenya’s emergency care ecosystem. Recent studies indicate that first aid is administered in fewer than 16 percent of workplace and road traffic injury cases nationwide — a shortfall experts say significantly affects survival outcomes.
Speaking during the training, The Nairobi Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Felix Osano, underscored the importance of equipping frontline officers with lifesaving skills.
“The Basic Emergency training is a crucial primary step in providing effective and rapid interventions during mild and serious injuries across multiple settings. Having the necessary skills and knowledge increases the chances of survival for victims of accidents. It is through such structured training programs that we shall succeed in improving the knowledge and skills in provision of first aid services immediately after accidents,” said Mr. Osano.
Medical evidence shows that immediate bystander First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can double or even triple survival rates in cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and certain traumatic injuries. By targeting uniformed officers — who are often first at accident scenes — the hospital aims to significantly increase early intervention rates across the country.
The training was conducted by expert instructors from the Cicely McDonnell College of Health Sciences, Kenya’s first privately owned nursing school and a premier institution offering advanced diploma programs in specialty nursing. The College, founded in 1956, is also marking 70 years of service this year.
Commandant of Security of Government Buildings and VVIPs, Lazarus Opicho, emphasized that Basic Life Support skills are essential for accurate injury assessment and timely referral.
“Knowledge of Basic Life Support is particularly important especially in cases of mild bodily harm because it makes primary categorization of injuries possible before victims arrive at health facilities for advanced examination and treatment. I am proud to have been part of The Nairobi Hospital’s initiative to educate and train prisons’ hospital lifesaving interventions,” said Mr. Opicho.
The program highlights The Nairobi Hospital’s strategic evolution as a holistic healthcare leader extending its impact beyond hospital walls through education, partnerships, and proactive community safety initiatives. By strengthening collaboration between healthcare professionals and security agencies, the hospital is reinforcing a critical link between emergency responders and clinical care providers.
As part of its 70th anniversary calendar, The Nairobi Hospital has announced plans to roll out additional targeted safety and emergency response training sessions for priority groups across Kenya throughout the year.
About The Nairobi Hospital
The Nairobi Hospital is a premier non-profit healthcare institution recognized for its advanced diagnostic, treatment, and referral services across East Africa. The hospital combines innovative technology with highly qualified professionals to deliver safe, compassionate, and patient-centered care while upholding the highest standards of clinical excellence.
About Cicely McDonnell College of Health Sciences
Founded in 1956 as an initiative of the Kenya Hospital Association, the Cicely McDonnell College of Health Sciences is named after Sister Cicely McDonnell, a pioneering nurse whose dedication to maternity nursing helped shape professional healthcare standards in Kenya. The College is fully accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), and serves as a hub for continuous professional development, specialized nursing programs, and emergency response training.
