PHOTO | FILE Matron Kezia Njau helps Ms Khadija Ali and her day-old baby at Pumwani Maternity Hospital on April 9.
NATION MEDIA GROUP
By NATION TEAM
In Summary
- Medical Services boss says ministry is consulting other stakeholders on how to implement waiver
Director of Medical Services Francis Kimani on
Monday said the ministry was consulting with other stakeholders on how
to implement the directive.
“You are stepping into an area that cannot be
addressed now...What I can tell you is that the Ministry of Health is
still holding consultations with other stakeholders,” Dr Kimani said on
phone.
Earlier, sources said the ministry had met officials from the Treasury and Office of President on the directive. (Editorial: ‘Free’ maternity care may prove too costly)
Meanwhile, public hospitals in Nyanza and Western
are reeling under pressure of increased demand for free maternity
service President Uhuru Kenyatta promised during his inauguration.
At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral
Hospital and Kisumu District Hospital, the number of women seeking
services has almost doubled.
Provincial director of Medical Services Ojwang
Lusi said on Monday that although the directive was yet to be
implemented, it was upon health managers to make it a reality.
A spot check at Kisii Level Five Hospital, Gucha,
and Nyamache Level Four hospitals showed most women were reluctant to
pay for maternity services.
Kisii Level Five Hospital medical superintendent Geoffrey Otomu told the Nation by phone they had not received a circular from the ministry waiving the fees.
In Kakamega, nurses at the provincial hospital are
grappling with high demand for free maternity care while public
hospitals in Migori are still charging for the service.
In Siaya, expectant mothers’ request for free services in public hospitals have so far been turned down.
Reported by Mike Mwaniki, Lilian Ochieng’, Jackline Moraa, Benson Amadala, Elisha Otieno and Godfrey Ombogo
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