Governor Joho promises better services as Coast General Hospital gets facelift

Mombasa’s Coast General Hospital has begun a major facelift to boost provision of medical services and cut delays experienced by patients visiting the facility.

The refurbishment which includes repainting and equipping the hospital also aims at providing a conducive environment for health workers and alleviate frequent strikes caused by poor working conditions.

Friday afternoon, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho launched the first renovation of the emergency department that includes the refurbishment of a laboratory located next to the department.

Previously, the lab was used only for minor tests and many patients, including those needing urgent treatment, had to rely on the main lab that is a distance from the casualty area.

This would in turn, waste the patient turnaround time and delay the urgently needed treatment.

CHANGE HOSPITAL STANDARDS

Governor Joho said the refurbishing of the entire hospital would elevate it standards similar to those of private hospitals.

“So many things are going to change at this hospital in terms of how we receive patients, the turn-around time and the kind of care provided to them.

For starters, the lab will help us expedite the processes of receiving and treating patients that come to the facility,” said Mr Joho during the launch.

He noted that they are also focusing on addressing human resource and other challenges that have been affecting health services in the county.

“The shortage of nurses will be addressed. We are looking at the human resource capacity and how we can develop it.

ISO CERTIFICATION

"Next we will invest in equipment,” he added stressing that they also want the hospital to be ISO certified.

He pointed out that the county government is committed to the new refurbishment plan and would even lease equipment if need be.

Health executive Binti Omar said that the refurbished lab that will be a backup for the main lab has also been installed with equipment for conducting even the most complicated tests such as hematology, parasitology, and bio-chemistry among others besides operating round the clock.

Acting Mombasa Chief Administrator Iqbal Khandwalla said that the refurbishments are going to make patients get treatment in the shortest time possible depending on their ailments.

“ The first 15 to 30 minutes that a patient lands in hospital is the most critical time that requires us to not only stabilise the patient but also establish an effective and correct diagnosis that the next line of doctors can easily take over from either in the theatre or the wards,” said Dr Khandwalla.

He added that the next area that will be renovated at the emergency section will be the accident department where accident victims who need urgent treatment will be effectively handled.