Pregnant woman, two infants die as strike enters week two

By Stanley Mwahanga and Philip Mwakio

Mombasa, Kenya: A pregnant woman and two infants died Monday in Tana River County as the national strike by health workers enters its second week.

In Mombasa County, striking health workers opposed plans by the county government to hire temporary staff to run the Coast General Hospital after one patient died.

According to Tana River County Director of Medical Services Dr Oscar Endekwa, the pregnant mother passed on while being rushed to hospital in Garissa but succumbed following birth-related complications.

Another pregnant woman escaped death after she was referred to a mission clinic but lost her baby.

According to Endekwa, all three district hospitals in Tana River, Ngao and Bura have been shut down and the sick are receiving treatment at a mission hospital.

“We have had three cases of death following the strike. All district hospitals are closed and we are referring patients to a private mission facility,” Dr Endekwa said Monday.

Ray of hope

But a ray of hope has started to penetrate some counties across the Coast region after some health workers resumed duty. According to senior medical officials, even though the situation had not returned back to normalcy, a number of workers had begun working.

In Lamu County, at least 90 health workers showed up at various facilities, causing the reopening of Lamu District Hospital after its closure on December 9, when the strike began.

Patients in critical condition who required specialised treatment were referred to Mpeketoni Sub District Hospital, according to Dr David Mulewa, Lamu County Director of Medical Services.

“Some health workers have begun showing up to work and we hope by tomorrow more will be coming. We have also opened up some wings at Lamu District Hospital which had remained closed since the strike began but we are treating minor health conditions,” said Dr Mulewa said.