Woman turned away, delivers outside hospital

By Joseph Masha

An expectant mother in Tana River County delivered her baby at the gate of Garsen health centre, a few minutes after medical personnel at the facility sent her away for failing to provide gloves, cotton and maternity items.

According to an official of Maendeleo Ya Wanawake in Tana River County, Mrs Emma Yesse, the woman, Mrs Boke Kone, had travelled to the health centre accompanied by her husband.

Yesse said as the couple was returning home, the woman’s labour pains worsened, forcing her to give birth at the gate as members of the public watched helplessly.

She said the husband assisted his wife deliver and used a knife to cut the umbilical cord.

Yesse further said yet another woman, Ms Mida Lubvo, had to deliver at her home with the support of untrained birth attendants after being sent away from the same institution for lack of the items.

Tana River District Hospital Medical Officer of Health, Dr Badru Muhaji, who talked to The Standard on the telephone acknowledged the two incidents had been reported to his office.

He said he had held a leaders’ meeting and discussed the matter. Local administrators, councillors and other stakeholders reportedly attended.

Well-equipped

The officer said health facilities in the area were well-equipped to handle deliveries by expectant mothers.

He said the staff said to be turning away mothers would be investigated.

A leader from Kilifi County Naomi Sidi condemned the act.

Sidi, who has declared her interest in the Kilifi Country senate seat, said mothers have rights to access good medical care and cases of nurses mistreating them would not be tolerated.

"It’s wrong for some nurses to mistreat expectant mothers whenever they visit public health facilities for maternal care. I urge the Minister for Public Health and Sanitation Beth Mugo to intervene in the matter," said Sidi.

Yesse said expectant mothers risk their lives and those of their babies when they give birth under the care of untrained personnel.