In readiness for the peak tourist season, eight European Union consuls assessed the preparedness and capacity of hospitals in Mombasa to handle medical emergencies.
The move comes amid a robust plan by the Ministry of Tourism to progressively increase the number of visitors from 2.1 million to 5 million annually by 2027.
The Consuls from Belgium, Hungary, France, Ireland, Poland, Finland, Austria and Denmark were impressed by investments made by hospitals in Mombasa.
They visited the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital and Mombasa Hospital.
Mr. Lou Dierick Honorary Consul of Belgium said they were interested in emergency care for their nationals in case of accidents or attacks to get quality medical services.
He added that the hospitals have the required capacity and can offer quality services.
“They will have a better idea on how to advise their compatriots on how to seek medical healthcare in case they need both for tourists and residents in Coast area,” stated Mr. Dierick after visiting Mombasa Hospital.
Mombasa Hospital, the oldest and not-for-profit hospital has invested heavily in state-of-the-art medical equipment, it boasts four operating rooms including the only modular theatre in the Coast region.
The hospital has fully recovered from the fire that engulfed its general wards in 2019. It has now built a three-storey building with rooms facing the sea.
Dr Samson Bebora, the hospital’s Board of Management Vice Chairman said the hospital has an endoscopy unit, an Intensive Care Unit, Renal and Dialysis, a High Dependency Unit, and a radiology unit with only three tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
The hospital has ten consultants of different disciplines. The hospital is also an international vaccination centre.
“During the COVID-19 era, we were the only centre for testing COVID-19 in the region for travelers,” said Dr. Bebora.
He added that the renal unit and operations rooms should be of interest to the consuls in case they receive visitors who are dependent on dialysis or who suffer misfortune.
“We can handle any neurosurgery, ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat all those are routinely done here,” Dr Bebora assured the Consuls.
The hospital has been in operation for 134 years. It is a preferred healthcare provider for international and local insurance providers.
“It has remained a reliable medical destination for many and we continue to grow,” explained Dr. Bebora.
Ms. Sellina Ambitho, Nursing Director, said the renowned hospital situated in the tourist city of Mombasa treats most tourists when they seek medical care. She reiterated the hospital’s capacity to deal with all medical conditions.
“The hospital has moved quite a lot and has continuously improved its services as a healthcare provider that is charitable not for profit but always ploughs back whatever it gets profits to advance services,” said Ms Ambitho.
The consuls’ interest in knowing the hospital’s capacity to deal with mass accidents, the Nursing Director affirmed that the hospital has dealt with mass accidents before.
“We have a disaster plan in place which rolls out how mass accidents should be managed and this works very well. It gives everybody a position on where you should be as a hospital worker from the lowest to the highest,” said Ms, Ambitho.
“I am sure they have also gone around other hospitals in the region and now they know more about hospitals in the Coast region, they will be better informed when their nationals are coming into the country on where they should seek medical attention,” she added.
By Sadik Hassan
