Mombasa County offers free healthcare to thousands in 'Mwezi wa Baba' initiative

The initiative was meant to ease the burden of medical bills and expand access to essential health services for residents.

The hospital’s acting chief executive, Dr. Mohamed Hanif, says more than 700 outpatients have received treatment.

At the same time, over 750 patients have been discharged from the wards without paying hospital bills since the programme was announced by Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir.

The initiative seeks to remove financial barriers to healthcare, with the hospital registering patients under the Social Health Authority (SHA) and covering insurance premiums for those unable to afford them.

Hanif says the facility has experienced a surge in patient numbers, but attendance has begun to stabilize, allowing hospital staff to manage queues more efficiently.

“Patients are not being asked to pay anything, whether they come to the outpatient department or are admitted to the wards,” Hanif said, adding that the program covers a wide range of conditions, including malaria, cancer, hypertension, surgery, and maternity services.

To address the increased demand, the county says it has also recruited nearly 447 healthcare workers on contractual terms, with Coast General benefiting from 116 personnel across various departments, including clinical services, laboratory operations, pharmacy, medical records, and general support.

For patients, the initiative is meant to provide immediate financial relief.

The initiative aims at providing a lifeline to patients who might otherwise delay or forego treatment because of the cost..

The program is also offering employment opportunities to healthcare workers who have faced prolonged periods without stable work.