Mombasa restricts hospital visits over rising security concerns

Mombasa County has announced new restrictions on visitors and caregivers in all public hospitals, citing growing security concerns and increasing complaints from patients and staff.

The rules, which take effect immediately, set strict visiting hours, limit the number of caregivers per patient, and require registration and identification before access is granted.

County Health Executive Swabah Omar said the measures were prompted by rising incidents of theft, harassment, and overcrowding in facilities.

“The Department of Health Services is implementing enhanced measures to safeguard patients and staff. Visitors and caregivers will only be allowed in accordance with official hospital guidelines,” she said in a statement.

Dr Omar explained that many people had been overstaying beyond visiting hours, with some even sleeping in corridors, creating both health and security risks.

In recent months, hospitals have reported theft of valuables and clashes among relatives over access, which has increased tension in already strained facilities.

At the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, staff complained that congestion interfered with service delivery.

“It becomes very difficult to move around the wards or respond quickly during emergencies when there are too many visitors,” said one nurse, who sought anonymity.

Under the new directive, caregivers will be issued identification tags and restricted to assigned duties, while security officers and staff will strictly enforce the rules.

Dr Omar emphasized that the move was not meant to deny family involvement. “Our hospitals must remain safe spaces for healing. These efforts are designed to protect patients and staff, not to cut off family support,” she added.

Reactions from residents were mixed. Fatuma Hassan welcomed the move, saying it would help curb theft, while John Mwangi, whose father is admitted, expressed concern that it might limit patients’ much-needed family support.

The county said the guidelines will be distributed and displayed in all hospitals ahead of full enforcement.