Why Mombasa Is Hiring 447 Health Workers After Making Healthcare Free

Mombasa County is set to hire 447 health workers on short-term contracts following a sharp increase in the number of patients seeking treatment at public health facilities after the county introduced free medical services in October.

Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, October 7, Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said patient numbers had risen to about four times the normal daily attendance, with the increase attributed to the free healthcare programme.

He said the response to the free healthcare initiative had been significant, with facilities recording a much higher number of patients than usual.

“An announcement was made stating that healthcare services would be 100% free during the month of October. I am pleased to announce that the response has been truly astonishing. Two things have happened. First, we’re receiving a huge number of people who likely have illnesses and don’t want treatment. Second, we’re seeing a massive increase in people coming from all over the country. The outcome is what we do,” said Nassir.

Mombasa Expands Health Workforce After Patient Surge

According to the governor, the number of patients currently being attended to is four times, and possibly slightly more, than the normal daily figure.

He also noted that Mombasa was receiving patients from outside the county, further increasing pressure on public health facilities.

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The county had announced that medical services would be offered free of charge throughout October as part of an initiative to honour the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In addition, Nassir said health facilities had already submitted requests for additional personnel based on their individual needs.

The county will initially take on 447 workers on short-term contracts to address the immediate staffing requirements.

He said the workers would be drawn from people who had already applied and whose details were available in the county’s database.

Those who had previously applied are expected to receive letters as the county moves to fill the urgent staffing gaps.

The governor indicated that the possibility of converting some of the positions into longer-term or permanent contracts would be considered later, depending on the needs of individual facilities.

“When the time comes for this to be long-term or permanent, they will make the announcement, but for now, given the immediate need, those who have already applied and we have their details in the database will receive letters starting tomorrow to address these specific needs,” the Governor said.

County Moves to Boost Medicines and Registration Capacity

The sharp increase in patient numbers also raised concerns about whether health facilities will have enough supplies to meet demand.

Nassir said medicines were currently available in the county’s facilities but that steps had been taken to prevent shortages as more patients seek treatment.

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He said he had spoken with the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) chief executive officer over the issue, with suppliers expected to increase orders to ensure medicines remain available.

Furthermore, the governor said that the increase in patient numbers also placed pressure on equipment used to register patients.

However, he noted that the county is in discussions with its digital health team to increase the number of registration devices available at health facilities.

Nassir said each facility had been asked to identify its specific needs, which will guide the county’s response as it manages the increased workload.

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Mombasa county governor Ahmed Nassir in a past event in Mombasa county. PHOTO/ File