The Makueni County Government has interdicted a nurse who allegedly turned away a woman in labour at Mavivye Health Centre, forcing her to seek assistance from a traditional midwife to deliver her baby.
The nurse is accused of refusing to attend to the woman in labour under unclear circumstances, a decision that sparked outrage across the country.
In a letter from the acting Chief Officer in charge of Health Dr. Geoffery N. Muthoka, Makueni County says the nurse’s act endangered the life of the mother and the unborn.
“Note that this amounts to gross misconduct and in view of the foregoing, you are hereby interdicted from exercising the duties of your office with effect from the date of this letter pending finalization of your case,” the letter read in part.
While on interdiction, the nurse will be eligible for half salary, full house allowance and medical insurance cover.
“Additionally, you should not leave your duty station without the express permission from your immediate supervisor,” Dr Muthoka directs.
What happened?
In a candid conversation with TV47 Health Desk, Tabitha Mutuku, the mother-in-law to Gloria Wanja, who was expecting to deliver at the facility, said her daughter-in-law started experiencing labour pains on Saturday, June 7, morning.
Her family swiftly sought services of a bodaboda operator who rushed her to the local dispensary at around 6am.
According to Mutuku, when they arrived at the facility, she went straight to one of the resident nurses who was well known to her and informed her of their need. Mutuku alleges that the nurse refused to attend to them, referencing a previous protest claimed to have been made by one of Gloria’s relatives.
The nurse is said to have accused the family of reporting her to her supervisors on how she was offering services at the facility.
”Alituambia hawezitusaidia kwa sababu tumekuwa tukimripoti vile anafanya kazi kwa radio, na hatukuwa na njia nyingine ile kwenda kwa mkunga, nitampeleka hospitali nyingine kesho na mtoto kwa sababu hata sasa hawezitembea vizuri,” said a distressed Mutuku.
This incident comes when the County Government of Makueni, through its department for health, is pushing for pregnant mothers to deliver in hospitals.
The incident has also been cited as a bad move that undermines long term efforts of saving mothers during birth.
Makueni County ranks below average in terms of neonatal mortality where the neonatal mortality rate is 26 deaths per 1,000 live births. This is higher than the national neonatal mortality rate of 21.5 per 1,000 live births.
The County is collaborating with the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI) and Women in Development to address this issue where journalists through Wanahabari org are involved.
According to Dr Anne Kihara, the lead champion of the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative, at least 90% of expectant women should attend a minimum of four antenatal care (ANC) visits, while 90% of births should be assisted by skilled healthcare professionals.
