Coast General Hospital Issues Statement Following Suicide Incident
The Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) has issued a statement regarding the recent death of a patient by suicide within its premises.
The incident, shrouded in initial uncertainty, has prompted the hospital to provide clarity on the circumstances.
Dr. Iqbal Khandwalla, the hospital’s CEO, explained that the deceased was a homeless individual with a documented history of mental illness, admitted for septic arthritis treatment.
Contrary to claims suggesting the suicide stemmed from unpaid medical bills, Dr. Khandwalla firmly stated that the patient’s treatment was progressing without financial issues.
“The patient had a known history of mental illness, documented by our medical team and local authorities,” Dr. Khandwalla confirmed. “Throughout his stay, our staff, including mental health experts, provided counseling and psychosocial support as part of his care.”
The hospital has reported the incident to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, who are now conducting a thorough investigation. “Despite our team’s best efforts, the patient made a tragic decision, deeply saddening everyone who cared for him,” Dr. Khandwalla expressed.
Reports indicate the patient died in ward 8, where he was recovering post-surgery. He allegedly used a nylon rope to hang himself from a metal bar above his bed. Fellow patients recalled him expressing distress over perceived abandonment and concerns about his hospital bill.
“He was admitted on March 19 after rib surgery. On Saturday, he said his family had abandoned him and threatened suicide,” a patient recounted.
This incident follows a similar tragedy at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in February, where a patient died under unclear circumstances within a ward. KNH acknowledged the incident and initiated internal and external investigations.
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Coast General Hospital Issues Statement Following Suicide Incident
