It is unacceptable that hundreds of mothers died because there were no medical personnel to attend to them following a prolonged strike by doctors and nurses.
We believe the strikes by both the nurses and doctors have been mishandled, exposing millions of mothers to unnecessary suffering and even death.
Reports that the number of women dying in childbirth doubled to 857 in the first half of this year are a grim reminder of the lie that is our healthcare system.
Child birth should naturally be a joyous experience for the millions of mothers bringing life into this world.
Unfortunately, motherhood is becoming deadlier by the day in Kenya and the situation could worsen if we do not address the rot in our healthcare system.
It is unacceptable that hundreds of mothers died because there were no medical personnel to attend to them following a prolonged strike by doctors and nurses.
Healthcare is a sensitive matter that deserves attention at all times because human life is sacred and should not be compromised by preventable causes such as industrial strikes.
We believe the strikes by both the nurses and doctors have been mishandled, exposing millions of mothers to unnecessary suffering and even death.
The stand-off between county governments and the Kenya National Union of Nurses is particularly disturbing given the critical role that nurses play in child-bearing procedures in hospitals and dispensaries across the country.
The Health ministry and the Council of Governors should put their act together and find a lasting solution to the nurses’ grievances for the sake of thousands of lives at risk.
We cannot continue gambling with the lives of millions of mothers through incessant grandstanding by both government and the union officials.
Both sides must make concessions to reach a middle ground that would help us climb out of the present quagmire.
The whole impasse also serves a reminder to strengthen the network of community-based healthcare workers who may come handy in supplementing the work of mainstream medical personnel especially in regions with shortages of staff.
While most women strive to access professional healthcare in hospital, some of them may still be limited by several factors such as long distances or low staffing levels.
Well-trained and equipped community health workers would be handy in such instances and help save lives even as patients waited to access advanced medicare.
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