Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has announced far-reaching reforms at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital aimed at improving patient care, ending congestion and eliminating brokers within the facility.

Speaking during the launch of the Mombasa care patient support and navigation service, Nassir took issue with delay of treatment for patients due to delays linked to the processing and payments of the Social Health Authority (SHA).

To immediately address the issue, Nassir announced that 10 clinical officers will be stationed at the facility specifically to handle SHA claims and verification processes a step aimed at speeding up approvals and reducing waiting time for patients.

“Ten clinical officers will be placed here to look at SHA claims. We must ensure patients are not delayed because of paperwork,” he said.

Digital System to Monitor Waiting Time

Nassir revealed that the county government is finalizing the awarding of a digitalization tender that will overhaul patient flow at the hospital.

Under the new system, each patient will receive a digital waiting card upon arrival. The system will track time spent in each department, including the SHA desk.

“When a patient walks in, they will be given a digital card. If a patient waits too long in a department, those responsible will be answerable,” he warned.

Adding " As we speak this week we are finalizing the awarding of the much-awaited digitalization process

Prescription Monitoring & Pharmacy Transparency

In a push for transparency, the governor made it clear that manual prescriptions will no longer be allowed. All prescriptions must be digitally checked and justified if a patient is directed to buy medicine outside the hospital.

The governor said the digital platform will also eliminate manual prescriptions and introduce real-time checks to ensure medicines are dispensed within the facility whenever available.

“You will not issue manual prescriptions. If a patient is told to buy medicine outside the facility, you must explain why. Everything will be digitally checked.”

End to Bed Sharing and Congestion

Nassir strongly criticized the practice of patients sharing beds, terming it a health risk.

“Any decent health worker will tell you that patients sharing a bed is a risk of spreading disease. We must bring this to an end" he said.

Crackdown on Brokers

The governor also issued a stern warning against brokers allegedly influencing service delivery within the hospital.

“We don’t want to see brokers again,  where someone who has just walked in is treated ahead of those who have been waiting, just because a broker somewhere knows who how to go about it and make money” he said.

To enhance public oversight, Nassir introduced a toll-free hotline, 1599, for complaints and whistle-blowing.

“If you see something wrong, report it. We will act.”

CEO Exit and Leadership Changes

Addressing recent controversy surrounding patient deaths at the hospital, Nassir confirmed that the Chief Executive Officer had opted to resign following administrative concerns.

“It is unfortunate for anyone to lose their life however the medical report that we got shows the patient came in very unwell. The CEO may have shortcomings, but causing death is not one of them,” he said.

Adding " The C.E.O has been here long enough and has helped build this institution, he opted to resign from his position but we are looking into having him still serve the facility in a different capacity, it does not have to be the previous position."

He added that the hospital board will advertise the CEO position and recruit new leadership.

Mortuary Crisis and New 7-Day Policy

The governor disclosed that the hospital mortuary, designed to hold fewer than 100 bodies, is currently storing more than 120, raising concerns over overcrowding and irregular body removals.

He called on families to collect their loved ones and announced a new policy granting seven days of free mortuary services.

“From now on, there will be no charges for the first seven days. After that, charges will apply. This must be agreed upon between management and families,” Nassir said.

Adding" I'm aware that there alot of illegal businesses at the mortuary, bodies being discharged without proper process, with some being sneaked out during the night and through the Ocean, we will deal with this too."