Barely two days after public outrage over poor services at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH), the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been suspended by the board pending investigations over governance concerns.
On Saturday , anger erupted after an emergency patient reportedly died while awaiting surgery over a Sh350, 000 payment dispute at the facility. The incident placed the hospital under intense scrutiny amid allegations of medical negligence.
The deceased, Ali Kibwana, a night guard, collapsed while on duty at the Mvita MP’s office. He was rushed to a nearby private health facility for first aid before being referred to CGTRH. His family and Mvita MP Mohamed Machele have since demanded a reshuffle of the hospital’s administration and a thorough probe into the incident.
County Secretary and Head of Public Service Jeizan Faruk said that during a duly convened special sitting, the board deliberated on serious institutional governance concerns relating to the conduct and performance of the Hospital’s CEO, Dr Iqbal Khandwalla.
To ensure continuity of services and stability in operations, the County Government has appointed Dr Sood Mohamed as Acting CEO with immediate effect.
“The Board noted with concern a sustained deterioration in the institutional governance climate and stakeholder relations, affecting the hospital’s leadership interface with the community it serves and the general public. These challenges have adversely impacted public confidence and the hospital’s operational environment,” said the County Secretary.
“In view of the central role of CGTRH in the County health system and the need to preserve institutional stability, credibility and constructive stakeholder engagement, the Board resolved that the continued tenure of the Chief Executive Officer in the current circumstances is untenable pending further review.”
The public has been assured that the hospital remains fully operational and committed to delivering uninterrupted quality healthcare services to the people of Mombasa and the wider coastal region.
“All clinical services, emergency care and hospital programmes will continue as scheduled,” Faruk added, noting that the County Government remains committed to strengthening governance, accountability and public confidence across all County health institutions.
Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, however, termed the CEO’s suspension a knee-jerk reaction, arguing that the hospital’s challenges are systemic.
“The suspension of the CEO is a knee-jerk attempt by the County Government of Mombasa to shift blame,” said the Senator.
He claimed that apart from paying staff salaries, the County Government has made no tangible investment in the facility over the past three years, with most development projects funded by donors under Dr Khandwalla’s leadership.
“Shortages of critical staff have led to congestion and poor service delivery. Moreover, the County Government has been reluctant to implement several recommendations made in our Oversight Reports, dismissing them as a witch-hunt,” said the Senator.
“To address the issues at Coast General, we must go beyond suspending the CEO. Let the CECM for Health and the Chief Officer for Health explain what they have done for Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital,” he added.
By Sadik Hassan
