• SA is living with a condition that requires him to receive at least three pints of blood every month.
• SA is supposed to go back for a checkup on Monday next week, but his family is afraid he might end up not getting treatment if the strike persists.
Image: FILE
Patients with chronic diseases in Mombasa are bearing the brunt of the ongoing doctors strike.
According to some patients, the strike, which is on its 38th day, has forced many families to take care of their loved ones at home as they cannot afford private health facilities.
Swabaha said her once healthy husband, SA, has now lost memory over a long-time illness because of delayed medical attention.
The problem began when they visited the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) on April 1 for usual clinics, but were sent away because of the doctors strike.
“We left and went home, little did we know that we were exposing our patient to a serious danger. He fainted and lost his memory,” she said.
The following day, they rushed the patient back to CGTRH because that is where he has been receiving treatment since the illness started.
According to the family, SA is living with a condition that requires him to receive at least three pints of blood every month.
His wife said he has a problem with his veins, which usually causes internal bleeding that leads to blood loss, a condition he has lived with for years.
“Upon arrival at Coast General the following day, doctors agreed to admit him because it was an emergency case. His condition worsened after he fainted, something that had never happened before. Right now, his health has deteriorated and he has lost his memory,” she said.
At the hospital, SA was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he stayed for 10 days. He was discharged three days ago after stabilising.
Despite the strike, the family was lucky because there were few doctors treating patients in critical condition.
The family said instead of receiving the usual three pints of blood, this time SA needed eight to survive.
“The person who was so active and doing his own things, today he cannot walk, his memory is not stable, he cannot speak properly and all this is because of the ongoing strike," his wife said.
“Were it not for the strike, maybe things could have been different. He could have received his usual treatment of between three and four pints of blood, admitted for a week and then go back home.”
SA is supposed to go back for a checkup on Monday next week, but his family is afraid he might end up not getting treatment if the strike persists.
The family told the Star that initially, the NHIF used to cover a huge part of his treatment, but things changed.
The card only covers a very small portion of treatment and drugs, meaning the patients needs to dig deep into his pocket to get treatment.
"After every two weeks, I have to get him medicine, which is very expensive. We were discharged, but his health is not good, so we have no choice but to stay with him at home since doctors are on strike," she said.
His wife pleaded with doctors to have mercy on patients and go back to work.
She said there is a need for quick action from the government because so many people are losing their loved ones.
At CGTRH, the wards and beds have remained empty.
A source at the hospital said the facility is only serving patients who are in critical condition.