Babies die as Pumwani Maternity Hospital strike bites
Pumwani Maternity Hospital that has been closed after medical staff went on strike. PHOTO/JEFF ANGOTE
What you need to know:
- Pumwani delivers 80 babies daily
- Hospital superintendent says the hospital will reopen on Thursday and those who fail to report to work will be sacked
Four of 16 pre-term babies referred to Kenyatta National Hospital from Pumwani Maternity died on Tuesday from low birth weight and other congenital complications.
This came about as Kenya’s biggest maternity hospital remained shut for the seventh day following a pay dispute with workers.
The news of the deaths was released by KNH’s communications manager, Mr Simon Ithai.
The stand-off at Pumwani , which delivers 80 babies daily, has seen expectant women going to Kenyatta National Hospital, Mbagathi Hospital and Mama Lucy Hospital in Umoja.
When the Nation visited the 354-bed Pumwani Maternity Hospital, the wards were deserted as the management gave workers an ultimatum to return to work.
Hospital superintendent Omondi Kumba said a decision had been made to reopen the hospital on Thursday.
“We have lent two incubators to KNH to enable them to cope with the influx,” Dr Omondi said.
“Pumwani will reopen on Thursday and those who fail to report to work will be sacked,” Dr Omondi said.
The workers accuse the county government of reneging on a February Collective Bargaining Agreement.
According to Dr Omondi, workers are seeking a 16 per cent salary rise, a demand that cannot be met due to budgetary constraints.
He, however, said there were plans to offer a new pay structure.
