A patient at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) in Mombasa, Kenya, tragically died by suicide on Sunday, raising serious questions about patient care and the handling of mental health concerns within the facility. The incident occurred in Ward 8, where the man was recovering from surgery. Reports indicate that the patient was deeply distressed over mounting medical bills, potentially contributing to his decision to end his life.

According to sources within Ward 8, the patient, whose name is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin, had expressed fears about his ability to pay the accumulating hospital bill. He had been admitted on March 19th following surgery on his ribs. A fellow patient reported that the deceased had voiced feelings of abandonment by his family and had threatened suicide on Saturday.

The method of suicide involved hanging, utilizing a nylon rope attached to a metal bar above his hospital bed. A critical point of concern is why the on-duty nurse and other patients did not intervene to prevent the tragedy.

The CGTRH Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Iqbal Khandwalla, initially promised to provide further details but later became unresponsive to inquiries. He stated that the matter was under police investigation. This lack of immediate transparency has fueled public concern and calls for accountability.

Human rights activists, led by Julius Ogogoh, CEO of the Commissioner for Human Rights and Justice (CHRJ), are demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution of those found negligent. Ogogoh emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the hospital's administration, citing concerns about the tenure of some managers. He also pointed out that this incident occurred shortly after the Mombasa County Assembly Speaker, Harub Khatri, raised concerns about the rising cost of treatment at CGTRH.

Khatri had recently claimed that the high cost of care at CGTRH was endangering patients' lives, specifically mentioning a bed costing Sh3,500. These allegations, made at a public function attended by Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, highlight a broader issue of affordability and accessibility of healthcare in the region.

Adding to the complexity, sources within the hospital revealed that the patient had complained about being neglected by his family. A kiosk operator, speaking anonymously, confirmed hearing news of the suicide but stated a lack of information regarding the motive.

Mombasa Urban Police Chief Maxell Agoro initially denied knowledge of the incident but pledged to investigate. The body has been moved to the CGTRH mortuary.

This incident underscores the urgent need for improved mental health support and financial assistance for patients within public hospitals. It also raises critical questions about oversight, staffing, and the responsiveness of hospital administration to patient concerns. The investigation's findings will be crucial in determining the necessary steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.