Mombasa: Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) has unveiled a new, fully equipped pediatric operating theatre, in a Sh50 million partnership between the County Government of Mombasa and international charity Kids Operating Room (KidsOR), aimed at expanding access to safe and specialised surgery for children across the coast region.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir, during the launch, emphasized that the facility, equipped with innovative ‘Solar Surgery’ technology, is designed to prevent power outages during operations. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure quality healthcare is accessible to every child in the county, regardless of their family’s financial situation.
Governor Nassir highlighted that the county government is committed to ensuring no child under five goes untreated due to financial constraints. He explained that the county covers the medical expenses when a parent cannot afford them, with the county taking over any remaining bills if necessary.
The investment, including equipment and three years of maintenance support, is expected to significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to manage complex pediatric cases. Nassir noted that KidsOR’s global initiatives have already facilitated surgical capacity for nearly 200,000 children annually across 40 countries.
He also linked the theatre’s unveiling to broader health reforms in the county, such as a digitisation drive to reduce patient waiting times and the deployment of over 2,500 Community Health Promoters to aid in early diagnosis and treatment.
The county is also sponsoring Social Health Authority premiums for residents unable to afford them through the Facility Improvement Fund. Additionally, Governor Nassir mentioned ongoing renovations of the hospital’s infrastructure and plans to add more operating theatres.
KidsOR Chief Executive David Cunningham praised the local medical teams, stating that Mombasa was chosen as a partner based on their quality. He shared a story of a young patient whose life was saved by the solar surgery system, illustrating the critical impact of the new facility.
CGTRH Acting CEO Dr. Saumu Wayuwa Salim noted that the theatre is equipped with new surgical tools and child-friendly artwork to ease young patients’ anxiety. She expressed gratitude to the hospital’s pediatric surgical team for their dedication to completing the project.
Emily Achieng Okello, County Executive Committee Member for Water, Natural Resources and Climate Change Resilience, commended the theatre’s solar power component as a contribution to the county’s green building agenda.
