Outrage as Coast mental hospital turns away patients

Port Reitz Hospital in Mombasa on Tuesday turned away more than 20 mentally-ill patients because of lack of medical services due to the ongoing doctors’ strike.

Mental patients and those battling addictions were turned away from the Mental Health and Sustance abuse departments, families of patients told the Nation.

One parent had come all the way from Nakuru to take her daughter, a drug addict, to hospital for medication and was worried her condition could get worse because of lack of treatment.

“Majority came for clinic services, injections and medications. But those who came from outside Mombasa County came to be admitted. Their condition is so desperate,” said a nurse.

A psychiatrist, who talked on condition that he is not named, said: “Families have come here with their ailing relatives but they had to be sent away. Some came from Nakuru and Garissa. They have to wait until the strike is called off and services resume. But I am saddened since some patients will break down due to lack of medication.”

Already, patients are asking relatives to come for them. Some families bought medication on their own.

INTERNS IN CHARGE

The Port Reitz District Hospital Mental Health and Substance Abuse department is the second largest mental health institution in Kenya after the Mathari Mental Hospital in Nairobi.

“The social workers and interns are now in charge. But how do you let mentally ill patients be taken care of by interns? Some of the patients who were to be discharged never left because the drivers never turned up. They are also on strike since they have not received their salaries,” said another doctor.

At the Coast General Hospital, the gate was locked, an indication that the largest health centre in Coast region was shut down.

There were watchmen, who prevented journalists from getting into the hospital, at all the other gates.

Speaking to the Nation by phone, Kenya National Union of Nurses General-Secretary Seth Panyakoo said health workers had not received their salaries and would only resume duties if they are be paid.

The union’s branch secretary, Peter Moroko, confirmed that none of the county health workers had received their pay and that they would remain on strike.

Later during the day, acting County Executive in charge of Health Tendai Mtana Lewa, Director of Medical Services Khadija Shikely, County Labour Officer J I Nyanga and the striking health workers’ officials, convened a crisis meeting at the county Labour headquarters.

According to Mr Moroko, the meeting was called by county government officials to work out a return-to-work formula.

The workers stuck to their demands that their salaries be paid before resuming work.

County officials said briefing on the strike will be issued later.