The suspension of Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO Iqbal Khandwallah on Sunday following public concerns raised by Mvita MP Mohamed Machele has elicited strong reactions from stakeholders.
Khandwallah was suspended indefinitely and replaced by Sood Mohamed in an acting capacity pending a full governance review process.
This followed concerns raised by Machele over leadership and service delivery at the facility after the death of one of his NG-CDF staff members at the hospital.
Ali Kibwana, 52, who had worked for Machele for over five years, collapsed and was taken to a private facility in Mvita before being transferred to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital on Saturday, February 14.
Kibwana was taken for a CT scan on Monday, where he was diagnosed with a severe stroke and required immediate surgery.
The surgery was later scheduled for Monday, February 23, following discussions between the MP and the hospital administration.
On Sunday, the Office of the County Secretary and Head of County Public Service, in the suspension letter, cited “serious institutional governance concerns” as part of the reasons for the action taken.
In the letter dated Sunday, February 22, the Office of the County Secretary and Head of County Public Service said the CGTRH board had discussed the matter during a special sitting.
“The board noted with concern a sustained deterioration in institutional governance climate and stakeholder relations affecting the hospital’s leadership interface with the community it serves and members of the public,” the letter read in part.
The board said the challenges had affected public confidence and the hospital’s operational environment.
“In view of the central role of CGTRH in the county health system and the need to preserve institutional stability, credibility and constructive stakeholder engagement, the board resolved that continued tenure of the CEO in the current circumstances is untenable pending further review.
“Accordingly, and in line with the applicable County Public Service governance framework under which the CEO serves, the board has recommended that the CEO be suspended from duty pending a full governance review process,” the letter stated.
The decision, however, was criticised by doctors at the facility and medical professionals elsewhere.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union national chair Abidan Mwachi defended the medical staff who treated Kibwana, saying standard operational procedures were followed in his management.
