There is a worrying increase in the number of expectant women who don’t visit clinics for prenatal services in Machakos County, Katani Hospital CEO Modesta Vesonda has disclosed.
Vesonda said such women only go hospital last minute while they are about to deliver.
“From the hospital’s standpoint, we have noted that there is a change in the way women seek and receive care when expectant. The majority of women especially from low-income families either attend one clinic or none at all when pregnant,” Vesonda said.
She spoke during a community sensitisation meeting on the importance of prenatal care at Katani market in Athi River, Machakos county on Friday.
“During the end of their pregnancies, when they are due to deliver, they come to the hospital,” Vesonda said.
Vesonda said some expectant women were dropped off at Katani Hospital by boda boda operators while due at night.
“The bodaboda operators drop them and leave. They aren’t accompanied by any relative, and don’t have money to pay for the services. Such women don’t have records on their health during the pregnancy,” she said.
“Some women walk in when the baby is almost coming out and since they haven’t had any prenatal care, they don’t have any documentation. They aren’t aware whether they have ailments like HIV, hypertension, high blood pressure, or anemia,” Vesonda said.
She encouraged men to help expectant women attend at least five prenatal clinics in authorised health facilities for their best interests and that of their unborn babies.
Vesonda said Kenya has rising incidents of children born with disabilities. This is related to not seeking prenatal care.
“Mobility and mortality rates are increasing too. These can be prevented if mothers attend prenatal care since they can be followed over a period of time,” she said.
She attributed the situation to confusion about SHA, SHIF and NHIF.
“Without insurance, mothers aren’t seeking care. Some of these mothers aren’t in formal employment too,” Vesonda said.
A mother recently delivered twins while in Katani Hospital ambulance on the Nairobi Expressway while en route to Kenyatta Hospital.
The ambulance stopped on the expressway as medics from the hospital aboard the ambulance successfully assisted the woman. She gave birth to premature twins.
Vesonda encouraged the residents to register for SHA despite the claimed challenges stating that they were short term.
Residents who spoke to the Star said high economic times had made them change their behaviors in seeking healthcare in hospitals.
Katani Bodaboda operators chairman Patrick Ndinda said most expectant women from low-income families prefer staying at home instead of seeking prenatal care due to the financial implications involved.
“People are hesitant since some claim they have registered in
SHA already but still pay cash to sort their hospital bills,” Ndinda said.
“Our wives are unable to receive prenatal services in hospitals due to hard economic times. They are expected to pay bills,” Ndinda said.
