SHOCKING: Why newborns at KNH are 33 times likely to die

Newborns at Kenyatta National Hospital are 33 times likely to die, according to the facility's records.

The statistics covering the period until end of October 2017 show that a third of babies born at the biggest referral hospital in the region died within the first 28 days of birth. 

Nationally, about 10,241 newborns died between November last year and October 31, translating to a mortality rate of below 1 per cent. There were over one million live births during that period. 

Babies who have to be placed in incubators till they attain maturity and gain the requisite weight at KNH face the highest risk, the data shows.

URGENT INTERVENTIONS

Medics expressed concern that too many babies were being lost and called for intervention. The world commemorates the Preterm Day today.

At KNH, about half of babies born prematurely do not survive. Limited facilities have served to compound the situation.

These include babies born before attaining 37 weeks. Each baby is generally expected to be kept alone in an incubator.

However, the situation is so dire at KNH that up to five babies are crammed in one incubator, exposing them to cross-infections and death. 

The Government is making efforts to attain universal health care and hopes to enhance access to medical services and response to emergencies.