Nairobi Hospital Annual Charity Golf Drive Targets Life-Saving Pediatric Treatments
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 15 – The Nairobi Hospital hosted its flagship annual Charity Golf Tournament on Friday 14 August 2026 at Karen Country Club bringing together corporate partners, sponsors, golfers, philanthropists and members of the public to raise funds for underprivileged children requiring specialized medical procedures, particularly complex cardiac operations.
The Children’s Charity Heart Fund Golf Tournament remains a flagship fundraising initiative that unites the corporate community, healthcare partners and well-wishers around a shared purpose giving vulnerable children diagnosed with congenital and acquired heart conditions a second chance at life through access to quality cardiac healthcare.
“Every child who comes to us for heart surgery has usually run out of time and money before they reach our door. This tournament exists to close that gap”, said Mr. Felix Osano, Chief Executive Officer, The Nairobi Hospital.
“Every fee, sponsorship and prize contributed today converts directly into theatre time, diagnostics and the specialist care these children need, and we are grateful to every partner who keeps showing up for them”.
“The Hospital extends appreciation to all sponsors, golfers, partners, volunteers and supporters, whose generosity has enabled the Children’s Charity Heart Fund to provide free, life saving heart surgery to more than 400 children over the years”.
Dr. Barcley Onyambu, Chairman, Board of Management, Kenya Hospital Association said A hospital is measured by how it treats those least able to pay, and the Children’s Charity Heart Fund is where that principle is tested every year.
“On behalf of the Board of Management, I thank every sponsor and partner who treats this tournament as a standing commitment, not a single evening of goodwill”.
Additionally, The Children’s Charity Heart Fund Golf Tournament forms part of The Nairobi Hospital’s broader commitment to advancing equitable access to quality healthcare through strategic partnerships, philanthropy and sustainable community initiatives that improve the lives of vulnerable children and their families.
Nicodemus Odongo, Director of Strategy and Innovation at The Nairobi Hospitalemphasized the hospital’s ongoing commitment to providing critical, specialized medical care to vulnerable children across Kenya.
Mr. Odongo noted that Targeted Medical Interventions includes: Pediatric Cardiac Surgeries: The charity fund finances 6 to 10 highly complex heart surgeries annually.
Cleft Lip and Palate Corrections: The program funds between 20 and 30 reconstructive surgeries every year for children in need.
Specialized Care Access: As a premier private facility housing a high concentration of medical specialists, the hospital receives critical referrals from across the country.
While Kenya’s Constitution guarantees the right to healthcare, many families face insurmountable financial barriers for tertiary care, The Hospital aims to bridge the gap by ensuring medically eligible children are screened, admitted and treated regardless of their financial status.
Addressing whether pediatric cases are on the rise nationally, Mr. Odongo noted that higher patient volumes are primarily driven by improved diagnostic capabilities across Kenya rather than an actual spike in disease prevalence.
“Previously, low diagnostic coverage meant many congenital conditions went undetected. With public and private facilities expanding routine health checks, more cases are being identified early, allowing for timely surgical intervention and preventative health education”.
Director of Nursing Services at The Nairobi Hospital, Dr. Margaret Muiyoro highlighted the urgent need for intervention, noting that while the birth of a child is typically a joyous occasion, roughly 3% of newborns are diagnosed with congenital heart malformations.
According to Dr. Muiyoro, the main obstacle facing Kenyan families is not an increase in cases, but a lack of financial access to specialized pediatric cardiac care.”Rarely do we find in Kenya that these surgeries are affordable”.
She further stated that procedures range from KES 500,000 for minor interventions to as much as KES 4,000,000 for complex surgeries.
“If we don’t help them, they will not be able to live normal, productive lives or contribute fully to the country.”
Dr. Muiyoro explained that while factors such as maternal nutrition and prenatal care are vital specifically cautioning pregnant women against radiation exposure like unshielded X-rays the vast majority of congenital heart defects are genetic, leaving parents with few preventive measures.
Early detection through routine prenatal clinics remains essential.
This year’s charity drive saw an increase in corporate partners compared to previous years, expanding the fund’s reach to serve more pediatric patients across the region.
”We are very excited to see more sponsors join us this year. It means we are doing a good cause and expanding this fund to touch and save more lives,” Dr. Muiyoro added.
Health officials and private practitioners continue to urge parents to prioritize annual health screenings for their families to ensure early detection and better long-term health outcomes.
“The Nairobi Hospital strongly encourages annual preventative screenings for adults and children to enable early diagnosis and promote preventative healthy living”.
