NEP loses most mothers during delivery; survey

By DENNIS OCHIENG

Garissa, Kenya: Kenya Demographic Health Survey shows that between 1000 and 1200 women in North Eastern Province die during delivery per 100,000 souls compared to the national rate of 488.

Garissa General Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Musa Mohamed attributes the high mortality rate to limited access to the few health facilities. Cases of women delivering by footpaths, on wheelbarrows or donkey carts in NEP are not uncommon. Musa doesn’t rule out poor some women opting out of hospital delivery due to ignorance.

“The region’s morbid fascination with FGM presents a high hitch to home births,’’ says Dr Musa. He says most girls require caesarean operations due to FGM and early marriage.

“FGM practiced in the province hinders the natural exit leading to the baby getting foetal distress and possibly not surviving if caesarean section isn’t performed,’’ says matron in charge Garissa General Hospital, Khatra Ali.

She regrets many patients turn to the hospital too late, when home delivery has gone terribly wrong.