This archive report was first published on 10 May 2020.
On Friday, May 8, 2020, the County Government of Mombasa, in partnership with Women Empowerment Network, officially opened a 120-bed capacity centre to support persons with mental illness who may be vulnerable to Covid-19.
The new facility, located at the Kenya Coast Polytechnic in Mvita Constituency, will cater to the medical needs of mentally ill individuals, ensuring they receive proper care and treatment.
Mombasa Women Representative Mishi Mboko, who represented Governor Hassan Joho, emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues, stating, ''Mentally ill persons have for a long time been neglected. Other patients suffering from various ailments get better attention. We need to ensure that there are adequate medical specialists to deal with mental illnesses.''
Chairperson of Mombasa Women Empowerment Network Amina Abdalah concurred with Mboko's sentiments, highlighting the need to protect mental patients from contracting Covid-19. She called on national and county governments to prioritize the safety of mentally challenged individuals during the pandemic.
The County government has deployed adequate nurses to the new facility, ensuring that mentally ill patients receive the necessary care and support.
