Medics raise alarm over maternity care

Doctors at the Pumwani Maternity Hospital have raised the alarm over the increase in the number of mothers visiting the facility since maternity fees were abolished.

Administrators said the hospital recorded double the number of expectant mothers it receives on a normal day, stretching its facilities and sparking fears it may result in burnout.

Long queues formed at the hospital and scheduled operations had to be postponed as midwives attended to emergency cases.

According to the hospital’s matron Esther Kiambati, a crisis is looming over the ratio of patients to midwives. “On Monday three midwives who were on night shift carried out 37 deliveries and they were expected to report yesterday night,” she said.

In addition to expectant mothers, those who had delivered after President Kenyata abolished the fees on June 1 also came back to demand a refund, leading to even longer lines.

On Monday, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia ordered the hospital to refund mothers who gave birth after the President’s directive.

Yesterday, women lay groaning in pain on the floor as beds were filled to capacity. Those served were hurriedly done with in order to cater to the large numbers.

The nurse responsible for admissions was also overwhelmed. Her work had doubled and she was admitting patients hurriedly to avoid creating a jam, she said.

“I definitely expect to get sick leave requests from the nurses because the number of patients they are attending to is abnormal,” the matron said.