Naivasha’s daycare centres linked to increase in rickets

By Antony Gitonga

Naivasha, Kenya: More than 90 per cent of day care centres in Naivasha are illegal and the sharp increase of these centres has been identified as a leading cause for the many reported cases of rickets in the town.

These day care centres target mothers who work at flower farms and other low wage earning sectors who cannot afford to hire nannies. They charge between Sh400 and Sh600 per month.

A recent study on day care centres around Naivasha town by Western Ontario University and students from a local university found that though most mothers have no option but to leave their children in these unhealthy settings, the end result is taking a toll on their children’s health.

According to the study, the centres do not comply with basic housing safety requirements. Overcrowding is the norm and in some cases one finds over 20 minors crowded in tiny, poorly ventilated rooms.

The study further reveals that 50 per cent of the day care centres are near flower farms, 20 per cent near dump sites and 10 per cent near quarries. Eighty per cent are located near the roadside and a similar percentage have poor lighting and ventilation.

The researchers observed a prevalence of diseases such as flu, diarrhoea, malaria, pneumonia and a very high incidence of rickets — which is caused by vitamin D deficiency.

The superintendent in charge of Naivasha District Hospital, Dr Joseph Mburu, admits that cases of rickets in the facility are on the increase.

According to the doctor, in the last six months they have been 84 new cases of rickets reported mainly among minors aged between 9 and 12 months.

Last year the facility recorded 184 cases with the doctor admitting that they could have missed many cases either due to the mothers’ ignorance or the cases being reported elsewhere.

“The majority of the cases we receive involve children from mothers who work in flower farms and leave them behind in unlicensed day care centres,” he said.

Dr Mburu said poor diet at the centres and keeping the children locked up indoors are to blame for the infant’s deficiency in vitamin D.

David Kihagi, an officer with the Lake Naivasha Grower Group, an umbrella body for flower farmers, says flower farm managers are aware of challenges faced by these young mothers.

While admitting that its impossible for all farms to provide individual day care centres, Kihagi said a plan by all flower farms to construct one major day care centre could come to fruition if they get land for the construction.