Written by Lisa Murimi
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has temporarily relocated his office to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in a bold move to personally oversee critical service reforms and tighten oversight at the county’s largest health facility.
“This week, I have moved my office to the Coast General Hospital to personally oversee and accelerate the service reforms we are implementing,” Nassir said in a statement.
The reforms include hiring additional nurses, digitising hospital systems for efficiency, and enhancing training for healthcare workers.
Nassir emphasized that supervision will be intensified to ensure proper use of resources and better delivery of care.
The move follows growing public concern over standards at the hospital, including a recent tragic incident where an 81-year-old patient reportedly died after an oxygen supply was allegedly turned off during maintenance on April 4. The case is under investigation.
Nassir met with the deceased’s family on Tuesday and confirmed that an independent autopsy will be conducted by a private pathologist hired by the family.
“There was an incident. It is claimed that oxygen was cut off… which may have led to the death of an elderly patient,” he acknowledged.
The hospital and Kenya Power have been asked to submit detailed reports on the matter. Nassir vowed accountability:
“Anyone found responsible will face the law. There is no other way about it.”
The governor’s hands-on approach signals a new chapter for healthcare delivery in Mombasa, as he pushes for accountability and patient-centered reforms.
