Guards at Pumwani Maternity Hospital suspended

Hatari Security Company that was operating at Pumwani Maternity Hospital has been suspended.

This is after a woman gave birth at the hospital’s gate after reportedly being denied entry at the facility. The woman is said to have been blocked by guards due to the nurses’ strike.

The Senate standing committee on health led by Michael Mbito visited the hospital and said they were not satisfied by the explanation the hospital gave on the events leading to the woman giving birth by the road side.

“They have attempted to explain, but we are not convinced. We are taking statements from the mother and the hospital,” said Mbito, adding that in seven days, the mother and hospital officials will appear before Senate committee.

The senate said most of the challenges of the hospital lay in the confusion on who they are answerable to. They said the security team was contracted by the county government, but the hospital has since been placed under Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).

NMS health officer Ouma Oluga said the mother and child are doing well and that the incident was isolated. Senator Samson Cherargei said if DCI does not prosecute people culpable for the incident; the senate health committee will use its mandate to institute a private prosecution. Human rights activists criticised the Government for treating the incident casually, saying administrators and medics who were on duty should face disciplinary action.