Eid celebrations bring relief for patients held in Mombasa hospitals

Mombasa residents previously detained at public hospitals over unpaid medical bills are now reuniting with their families to celebrate Eid-ul-fitr after outstanding balances were settled through donor partnerships facilitated by the county government.

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The three-day initiative, which concluded today, enabled the discharge of patients who had completed treatment but remained confined due to their inability to clear outstanding bills.

A total of 480 patients from Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital benefited from the support.

The effort was made possible through collaboration involving the Shariff Nassir Foundation and other donors who agreed to cover the full outstanding amounts.

Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir described the intervention as a timely Eid-ul-Fitr gesture for affected families.

He directed health facility managers and local administrators to ensure swift discharge of all eligible patients, noting that the payments were made directly by partners and applied regardless of background or religious affiliation.

Beneficiaries and their relatives expressed deep appreciation for the assistance, which has allowed families to reunite and observe the festival at home instead of remaining in hospital wards.

Jimmy Mumbo, admitted on January 4, 2026, following an accident at Bombolulu, stayed hospitalised until late February after surgery. His bill totalled Sh190,000, preventing discharge until the settlement.

“I want to thank the Governor for clearing our bills. I’m sure my relatives and family members are going to be surprised and ask where I got the money to pay. They shall be happy,” Mumbo said.

His sister, Mnyazi Mumbo, said the family had been waiting indefinitely for a well-wisher due to a lack of funds.

“We were to stay here until we find someone who could help clear the bill. We want to thank the Governor for his efforts. Back at home, our family is going to be overjoyed because they were uncertain about when they would see him again,” she added.

Paul Njuguna, a long-term diabetes patient, was admitted on Monday this week after falling at home and breaking his foot. His bill exceeded Sh50,000.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Governor because I could not pay the bill,” Njuguna said.

Samuel Kinyua thanked the authorities for helping secure the release of his relative through the bill settlement.

John Ngugi, who fractured a bone while working, received contributions from friends towards his Social Health Authority (SHA) coverage. SHA covered Sh336,000 of his Sh444,000 bill, leaving a balance of Sh108,000 that he could not afford after a month in the hospital.

“I am thankful,” Ngugi stated.