Monica Atieno embarked on a 45-minute treacherous journey across the waters of Lake Victoria from Mageta Island in Siaya county, to deliver her fifth child.
The 40-year-old mother was referred to Bondo sub-county hospital after she developed complications.
“I got a referral and I was required to be in Bondo by 9am in order to be examined by a doctor,” Atieno recalls.
The mother who is a fish monger, boarded the public transport boat at 6am from Mahanga beach to Usenge. However, she did not make it to hospital in time and delivered inside the boat just as they were approaching Usenge beach.
“With the help of women who were aboard the boat, I successfully delivered my now ten-year-old daughter,” she tells The Standard, adding that she was taken back to the island where she was examined and allowed to go home.
Atieno is among residents of Siaya county who have lived to tell their brush with death occasioned by lack of emergency and critical care services.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than half of deaths and over a third of disability in low and middle-income countries could be addressed by the implementation of effective emergency and critical care.
It is against this backdrop that the county’s Department of Health has unveiled out a five-year Emergency Medical Care (EMC) plan to curb deaths associated with trauma, obstetric emergencies and acute medical conditions.
The Sh412.4 million plan aims to provide basic and advanced emergency medical care by trained personnel and transportation to designated facilities by standardised means.
According to the 2024-2028 plans, Governor James Orengo’s administration expects to realise the vision of a prosperous, healthy and secure county for all.
Speaking after flagging off two ambulances, Governor Orengo said the plan covers ambulance management and coordination.
“The five-year plan will also help us in mitigating losses during emergencies by timely response and effective management,” said Orengo.
He was optimistic that the plan will significantly reduce casualties, property damage and environmental impact.
Chief Officer in charge of Health Omondi Owino, noted that the county recorded 1, 007 obstetric emergencies, including 67 cases of hemorrhage and 70 cases of eclampsia.
“There were 23 maternal deaths during the same period, with 30, 356 deliveries,” said Dr Omondi.
He attributed road accidents attributed to the increase in the number of boda boda in the county. In 2022 4,633 people were injured while 292 died due to road accidents.
Dr Omondi, who termed the plan as game-changer in the health sector, further revealed that there are no specific policies guiding Emergency Medical Care in the county.
“This plan will therefore ensure that the ongoing interventions are enhanced to achieve the targets within the set timelines,” he said.
The County Executive for Health Martin K’Onyango said that the Emergency Operations Centre will be located at Siaya County Referral Hospital.
“It will operate 24/7 and have a minimum capacity of four fully equipped work stations. It will be staffed by qualified emergency medical dispatchers working eight-hour shifts daily,” said Dr K’Onyango.
He revealed that the project will cost Sh56.3 million and Sh26.35 million as capital expenditure and annual budget respectively.
“We also plan to construct emergency departments at Ambira, Bondo, Yala, Madiany and Siaya County Referral hospital at a cost of Sh50 million spread over five-year period,” he said.