Some 302 disabled children in Nchukini and Kimana villages are locked away in their homes and lack medical attention. Of these, 200 are suffering from cerebral palsy and delayed development. Others are suffering from fetal distress infections, brain injuries and development delays.
This came to the fore during a fact-finding mission initiated by the county government in collaboration with Safaricom, African Inland Church, Cure International Hospital and Coca Cola company.
According to health experts, the high cases of disability are mainly caused by prolonged labour as many women in the area deliver at home and fail to take their children for immunisation.
"It is unfortunate that women still deliver at homes, exposing themselves to challenges which can easily be tackled by medics at the health facilities.
Cerebral palsy is a condition which is preventable during delivery at health care clinics," said Watson Maina, a doctor. He explained that disabilities among the children range from stiff bones, poor brain co-ordination and writhing movements.
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"Stunted growth and poor bone development among these disabled children is further worsened by malnutrition. The condition has further been worsened by failure to access proper medical attention during pregnancy and immediately after birth," he said.
The county government has constituted a seven-member committee to identify all disabled children in the five sub-counties.
