Fake medic arrest raises patient safety concerns in Mombasa's BabaCare programme

Fake medic arrest raises patient safety concerns in Mombasa's BabaCare programme

Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir said the county had received reports of people posing as healthcare workers and warned that anyone found engaging in fraudulent activities in hospitals or residential areas would face action.

The arrest of a suspected fake healthcare worker accused of attempting to treat patients under the BabaCare programme has raised concerns over patient safety and fraud in public hospitals, prompting calls for a thorough investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir said he had directed the DCI to investigate the incident and pursue the strongest action permitted by law, warning that individuals attempting to exploit patients would not be tolerated.

He said the county had received reports of people posing as healthcare workers and warned that anyone found engaging in fraudulent activities in hospitals or residential areas would face action.

“I do not respond to people through insults or arguments, but I will take action,” Abdulswamad said, warning those seeking to take advantage of the free healthcare programme.

He urged residents to report suspected fraud and corruption through the 1599 hotline, saying his office wanted to ensure patients received treatment without being exploited.

The governor also used the occasion to respond to critics questioning the county's free healthcare initiative, comparing the cost of microphones used by some leaders to criticise the programme with the money required to travel abroad for medical treatment.

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He argued that while some leaders were questioning the initiative, many ordinary residents continued to struggle to meet medical expenses.

“The microphone they are using costs enough to fly them abroad if they develop a cough,” he said.

Abdulswamad further challenged his critics to consider the plight of patients suffering from cancer and children requiring urgent medical attention, saying the county's priority should be ensuring that residents could access treatment without financial barriers.

He announced that the free healthcare programme, which began in October, had been extended throughout November, covering all medical services in county hospitals.

“I do not want anyone to die because they cannot afford medical treatment. Everyone has a right to receive healthcare in their area,” he said.

The governor attributed the initiative to cooperation between the county and the national government

He said the county was meeting doctors' costs and had equipped public hospitals with diagnostic machines, including X-ray and CT scan equipment, as part of efforts to expand access to medical services.

Abdulswamad also defended the programme against criticism over its sustainability, saying the next county administration would have to understand how the initiative had been implemented when the current term ends in 2032.

However, the governor's warning against fraudulent healthcare workers comes as the county seeks to maintain public confidence in a programme that allows residents to seek treatment without paying at the point of service.