Family raises concerns after kin dies at Coast General Hospital

Salim Kibwana, the deceased Ali Kibwana’s elder brother outside the CGTRH on Saturday / BRIAN OTIENO

Mvita MP Mohamed Machele outside the CGTRH on Saturday / BRIAN OTIENO

Fatma Kibwana, the deceased Ali Kibwana’s younger sister outside the CGTRH on Saturday / BRIAN OTIENO

Mvita MP Mohamed Machele has criticised the Mombasa County Government over services at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.

The remarks followed the death of one of his NG-CDF staff members, which the family linked to alleged treatment delays at the facility.

The family of Ali Kibwana, 52, said he was taken to the hospital after he collapsed. He later died while reportedly receiving treatment.

The MP and family members expressed frustration over the treatment process and called for improved services at the hospital. Their comments were largely driven by grief following the death of their relative.

Fatma Kibwana, the deceased’s sister, said they experienced delays before her brother was attended to.

“Our MP tried to push for quicker attention. Ali was later moved to the ward in the evening,” she said.

She said the patient was later taken for a scan the following day before being transferred to the intensive care unit. Medical staff explained that a clot needed to be treated.

Fatma said the family was required to make a payment before treatment could proceed. She said the family was concerned about the affordability of emergency medical care.

She urged the county government to prioritise service delivery in public health facilities.

Salim Kibwana, the deceased’s brother, said the family was saddened by the loss.

Machele said the deceased had worked as part of his security team for more than five years. He said the patient had complained of high blood pressure before collapsing.

He said the patient was first taken to a private facility for first aid before being transferred to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.

According to the MP, he spoke with hospital management and agreed to assist with medical expenses. He said a treatment cost estimate was provided, and he contributed towards the required deposit.

He said the patient was later scheduled for treatment but did not survive.

The hospital has not commented on specific allegations, but medical reports indicate that the patient had a serious brain condition.

A clinical report indicated that the scan showed a significant brain bleed and swelling.

A medical practitioner who was not authorised to speak publicly said the condition was life-threatening. He said treatment outcomes in such cases depend on the severity of bleeding and complications.

He said the treatment procedure was complex due to the patient’s unstable condition.

The medical practitioner said endovascular treatment was considered but could not be carried out immediately due to the patient’s condition requiring intensive care stabilisation.

Endovascular treatment is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to treat certain vascular conditions.

He said in some cases, the prognosis for such conditions can be very poor due to the severity of brain injury.

He said medical professionals sometimes face challenges explaining difficult prognoses to families during treatment.

He said doctors are trained to preserve life, but some medical conditions have very low survival chances despite medical intervention.