Newborn dies as doctors keep off over curfew order

A woman in Lamu revealed how she allegedly lost her newborn baby on Monday night after doctors declined to help because of the curfew.

Mrs Halima Abdalla, 25, a resident of Mokowe, said on Wednesday she went into labour at 11.30pm until 2am when she delivered a baby boy who died a few minutes later.

Family members who spoke to the Nation said they tried to contact several doctors but all of them refused to help.

The doctors, they said, feared harassment and arrest by Kenya Defence Staff Forces who patrol the streets at night.

“We called a number of doctors, including one who leaves in our neighbourhood but there was no help. All the ones we contacted said they cannot come because of the curfew.

“If only the doctor could have come to her aid, she could be a mother now,” Ms Aisha Ahmed, a sister to Ms Abdalla said.

MAKE EXEMPTIONS
The bereaved mother said exemptions should be made during curfew hours, particularly during medical emergencies and if not it should be lifted altogether.

“I pray that the curfew is lifted since it has affected our social lives. We have had enough in the past four months and I hope the government will hear our pleas and lift the curfew,” she said.

The incident was condemned by Lamu branch Muslim for Human Rights official, Mr Muhsin Athman.

He said there was need for the State to realise that despite the curfew being in place, medical emergencies give no warning.

“We cannot have mothers lose their babies because of a curfew. We require dialogue on this issue to make exceptions,” Mr Athman said.

The Lamu curfew was first imposed on July 21 this year.

Recently, Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo extended the order for the fifth month in a row to December 24.