Nairobi, February 24- Doctors in Mombasa County have issued a seven-day strike notice following the sacking of the CEO of Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, raising tensions between healthcare workers and county officials.
The medics, represented by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), have condemned the removal of Dr. Iqbal Kandwala, terming it irregular, politically driven, and lacking due process. They are demanding his immediate reinstatement and an independent probe into the circumstances surrounding the decision.
The union also called for the dissolution of the hospital’s board, accusing it of exceeding its authority, and urged the involvement of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council to oversee an impartial investigation.
In their notice, the doctors warned that failure to address their grievances within seven days will result in a full-blown strike. While elective procedures have already been suspended, emergency services will continue during the notice period.
The standoff stems from controversy surrounding the death of a patient, with claims that treatment was delayed due to payment issues. However, doctors have dismissed the allegations, insisting the patient was already in critical condition and that care was provided based on medical urgency.
They also raised concerns about their safety, citing political interference and the presence of groups around the hospital, which they say has created a hostile working environment.
If the strike goes ahead, healthcare services across the Coast region could face major disruptions, as the facility remains the primary referral hospital in the area.
