Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has defended the performance of county-run health facilities, saying public hospitals under the County Government maintain a 92 per cent prescription fill rate despite recent claims of widespread medicine shortages.

The Governor was speaking during the commissioning of the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital Frontage Redevelopment Project, where he sought to clarify statistics recently cited by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale regarding the availability of medicines in Mombasa.

Nassir said the figures referred to 239 health facilities across the county, including private hospitals and clinics, yet only 52 of those facilities are operated by the County Government.

"Out of the 239 facilities being referred to, only 52 are County Government facilities. Our prescription fill rate in those facilities stands at 92 per cent," he said.

He argued that using county-wide figures without separating public and private health facilities gives an inaccurate assessment of the performance of devolved healthcare services.

The Governor said his administration remains fully accountable for services offered in county-run hospitals but emphasized that public discourse should be guided by accurate and properly disaggregated data.

Nassir attributed the high prescription fill rate to sustained investment in medicine procurement, healthcare personnel and improved service delivery.

He also announced that the county is expanding healthcare infrastructure to meet growing demand, with new hospitals under construction in Port Reitz, Jomvu and Kongowea, while discussions are ongoing with development partners to establish another facility in Likoni.

The Governor said the new hospitals are intended to reduce pressure on Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital by bringing services closer to residents.

He further revealed that the county has awarded a tender for the construction of additional theatres and wards at Coast General Hospital to increase its capacity and improve specialized healthcare services.

Nassir said his administration will continue investing in healthcare infrastructure, digital systems and human resources to ensure Mombasa residents receive quality and accessible medical care.