Are doctors becoming political scapegoats in health crises?

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The President of the Kenya Medical Association, Simon Kigondu, has warned that doctors are increasingly being turned into political scapegoats following patient deaths in public hospitals.

In a statement issued after the clearance of Dr Iqbal Khandwalla the former CEO of Coast Provincial General Hospital, Dr Kigondu said the episode reflects a worrying trend where health care professionals are publicly blamed before investigations are completed.

Dr Khandwalla had been suspended following political accusations linked to the death of a patient. However, investigations by the County Government of Mombasa later found he was not culpable.

“The root cause is interference”

Dr Kigondu said the medical fraternity came together because the matter went beyond one administrator.

According to the KMA President, systemic challenges were overlooked in the public debate, including:

• Critically ill patients presenting late
• Gaps in Social Health Authority coverage
• Inadequate funding support to Coast General Hospital
• Political interference in hospital management
• Blame shifting toward frontline doctors

He cautioned that turning tragic outcomes into political contests risks weakening trust in public healthcare institutions.

Funding gaps under scrutiny

Dr Kigondu urged political leaders to address financing shortfalls affecting public hospitals, particularly within the Social Health Authority framework.

He called for full funding of:

• The Primary Healthcare Fund
• The Emergency, Critical and Chronic Illness Fund

Both funds, he said, are expected to be financed by the national exchequer.

Dr Kigondu stressed that doctors do not intend harm and often suffer deeply when patients experience negative outcomes.

With Dr Khandwalla cleared, he said the focus should now shift to strengthening funding, shielding healthcare workers from undue political pressure, and addressing structural weaknesses within Kenya’s public health system.