Mombasa County moves to elevate Coast General to Level 6 status amid major upgrades
The move follows the groundbreaking ceremony for a modern funeral home within the hospital grounds, a key development expected to expand mortuary capacity from 90 to 325.
Mombasa County has launched efforts to have Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital recognised as a Level 6 facility, positioning it on par with Kenya’s top national referral hospitals.
The move follows the groundbreaking ceremony for a modern funeral home within the hospital grounds, a key development expected to expand mortuary capacity from 90 to 325.
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Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir said the project is part of a wider plan to decentralise health services and reduce strain on Coast General, which serves all six coastal counties.
“This facility already meets the standards of a Level 6 hospital. However, we don’t receive funds from the national government; we sustain ourselves. We have built an ICU, paediatric wing, emergency wing, and now the funeral home all through our own efforts,” said Governor Abdulswamad.
The new funeral facility is funded by the Meghji Family, marking their second major contribution to the hospital.
Dr Iqbal Khandwalla, Coast General’s CEO, welcomed the initiative and noted it will resolve long-standing issues of overcrowding and inadequate conditions at the mortuary.
“There will no longer be problems with congestion, odour or poor infrastructure. This mortuary will meet standards seen in Nairobi and even in Europe,” added Dr Iqbal.
Governor Abdulswamad emphasised that while the county is campaigning for Level 6 status, it does not intend to relinquish jurisdiction to the national government.
“We are not saying that our hospital should be taken over by the national government. What we request is equity in allocation. If Kenyatta Hospital receives an SHA rebate, then Coast General should receive the same level of funding,” he explained.
He also noted that as part of the county’s broader healthcare strategy, plans are underway to demolish and rebuild sub‑county hospitals in Likoni, Port Reitz, Kongowea and Jomvu, upgrading them to Level 4 status with ICU capability.
“By expanding and upgrading these institutions, we can ease congestion at Coast General and make healthcare more accessible across Mombasa,” he said.
Governor Abdulswamad also highlighted that Coast General pays its specialists higher wages than other facilities in the region, reflecting its strategic importance.
The county expects that by the financial year 2025/2026, through a combination of legal reforms, county funding and donor partnerships, these objectives will be realised.
There are also plans to upgrade Utange Hospital to further alleviate patient pressure.
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