Maralal District Hospital on the spot over death of woman after birth

A foster parent takes care of a baby whose mother died after she was allegedly neglected by Maralal Hospital staff after delivery. [Photo: Michael Saitoti/Standard]

Samburu, Kenya: A family in Samburu wants action taken against health workers at Maralal District Hospital for negligence that led to the death of their kin.

The family in Ngari village claimed the health workers left the woman, who had delivered through Caesarean section, unattended on Friday.

Dickson Lesilele, a relative, said the expectant woman was rushed to the hospital after she developed labour pains.

"She was in a stable health condition and had not complained of any illness before. She delivered through the operation but under what circumstances did she die? asked Lesilele.

He urged the county government to investigate the circumstances that led to the death and that appropriate action be taken against health workers found culpable.

The deceased's newly born baby is being taken care of by a relative in Ngari village.

Hospital management held a closed-door meeting yesterday, but declined to speak to journalists who had camped outside the hospital.

Probe under way

Earlier, Samburu County Chief Officer of Health Julius Leseeto said investigations were under way and promised that action would be taken against whoever would be found responsible.

Dr Leseeto said the hospital was compiling a report from the time the patient arrived at the hospital, how she was attended to, up to the time she passed on.

The hospital, also referred to as Samburu County Referral Hospital, was also on the spot after another man from the same family narrated how his expectant wife delivered outside the maternity ward as everyone watched, a day before the latest incident.

Saul Lekaaso said a nurse at Maralal District Hospital forced his wife out of bed after he differed with a doctor who had recommended Caesarean section.

"She was forced out of the bed by a nurse who told her that she was not heeding the doctor's advice. She delivered outside as everyone watched before she was taken back to the maternity ward with her baby," he said.

Lekaaso said he went to the theatre and met a doctor who rudely told him to sign a consent form for the operation on his wife or she would be left to die.

When asked for a response over the second case, Leseeto said he had not been briefed on the incident and promised to make a follow-up.