Dr Naveen Krishna, a Consultant Cardiologist examines a patient at Mombasa Hospital on Saturday. [Photo/ Maxwell Ngala]
Patients seeking specialized treatment can now access the services at Mombasa Hospital.Speaking on Saturday when he hosted surgeons from India, Mombasa Hospital administrative director Abbas Nasser said the doctors are conducting a free medical camp at Pandya Hospital, where they will treat patients with cancer, diabetes and heart related problems."Patients who require surgery will be operated on free of charge,” said Nasser.He lauded the medical camp saying it will make it easier and cheaper for patients to access quality healthcare locally.“Patients no longer need to travel to India for specialized treatment as the services will be available here,” he said.Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of India lead surgeon Anitha Nirajan said the Government of India has facilitated healthcare programmes throughout the world.She said the Indian government had a distinct medical visa for patients travelling for treatment in India which is cheaper than the ordinary visa.“With the new collaboration with Mombasa Hospital, doctors from India shall come and see the patients here instead of them travelling to India,” she said.She said more than 3,500 patients travel to India every year for specialized treatment, adding that they believe the number could be higher if other patients could afford the travel expenses.“A patient who needs specialized surgery has to be accompanied and that has cost implications which many families are unable to afford,” she said.Anitha said that with the new collaboration, patients who were treated in India will not require to travel back for follow up treatment as they will now access the services at Mombasa Hospital.“Doctors in India will either travel to see patients at Mombasa Hospital or work with the local doctors through video links,” she added.She thanked the Indian High Commission and the government of Kenya through Mombasa Hospital for facilitating the collaboration.“I am also happy that Mombasa Hospital has the necessary medical equipment that meets international standards,” she said,