Written by Eric Lumbasi 2012-08-24 11:15:00 Read 560 Times

Health Stakeholders follow proceedings at Naitiri in Bungoma North District where they were told to urge expectant women to utilize health facilities to reduce the number of deaths before and after delivery. [PHOTO | Eric Lumbasi | West Fm]

Expectant women in Bungoma North District have been urged to maximally make use of the health facilities near them in order to avoid complications and deaths incurred after birth.

In a seminar that incorporated all stakeholders in the health sector drawn from each location, the District Health Nurse at Naitiri Sub-District Hospital Miriam Wekesa expressed the need to have, mothers delivering from hospitals and dispensaries near them saying it’s safe for them.

She pointed out that mothers risk their lives by not even attending pre natal care which is vital to be referred earlier to better facilities saying charges are now affordable.

She reiterated that the stereotype attitude that nurses are usually harsh to mothers while delivering is long gone since they are now reformed and are ready to serve the mothers in a better way hence they should not fear.

The Aphia plus Programs Officer Florence Wabomba said currently they are working towards sensitizing the traditional birth attendants on the need of health facilities around them, hence should refer pregnant women there for the skilled delivery.

She added that with the referral linkages advocated for the domiciliary mid- wives (retired nurses) can take up the role of mother delivery if nurses cannot be reached, but later taken to the health centers for further examinations as soon as possible.

“A couple should plan well for their unborn child by saving enough money as early as possible to cater for the expenses to be incurred during delivery and plan well for the mother to attend her post natal care sevices” said Florence.

She added that there is need to involve men to fully participate in the whole process as most of the time they are the ones who provide financial support, therefore should be fully informed at each stage of the wife’s progress.

“The post natal care helps access whether the mother is HIV positive and proper care taken to ensure she does not infect the child and the husband which further reduces the risk to either parties in the family”  added Florence.

The community was also implored to cooperate with the community health workers during times of immunization against various diseases on children to help curb the infections so as to help the country attain the millennium development goals by the year 2015.

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