Expectant mothers tour Kitale County Referral Hospital, learn about Maternal and Newborn care
The Trans Nzoia County Department of Health today Thursday, 29th February 2024, held a “Maternity Open Day” at the Kitale County Referral Hospital offering expectant mothers a chance to familiarize themselves with the facility, meet healthcare workers, and learn about antenatal care, childbirth, and postnatal services available for mothers and their children. The event was supported by USAID AMPATH Uzima Program, a leading health partner in the county.
Pregnant women toured the maternity ward and participated in discussions facilitated by healthcare workers to address concerns and clarify any existing misconceptions.
Esther Saidi, the Facility Nursing Service Manager, emphasized the importance of attending preconception and antenatal clinics for the well-being of both mother and baby.
“We encourage mothers who desire to have children to visit the hospital for health education and screening of any health problems that may adversely affect the mother and the baby,” Saidi said, highlighting the various services available at the facility.
Dr. Anthony Wamalwa, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, advised women to attend clinic appointments early and monthly, pointing out that other county hospitals, including Wamalwa Kijana, Kwanza and Tom Mboya are near completion and will soon offer comprehensive maternal, newborn and child health services upon completion.
He stressed the importance of involving partners in maternal care, stating, “Mothers should be accompanied by their spouses for education, so they can better support in handling any emergencies.”
He also encouraged mothers to provide feedback for service improvement and urged community health promoters to inform women about available maternal healthcare services during their regular household visits.
Fridah Lunani, the Nursing Services Manager at Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital, announced that the facility will soon offer maternal, newborn and child health services.
She encouraged mothers to be accompanied by their husbands or a designated support person and discouraged them from using unqualified midwives, citing potential risks to both mother and child.
“Mothers with unplanned pregnancies should not consider unnecessary abortions, due risks involved” Lunani added.
From USAID AMPATH Uzima, Dan Omolo, the Maternal and Newborn Health Focal Person emphasized the need to build healthy relationships between mothers and healthcare providers and enhance open communication as a means to promote respectful care.
He invited the mothers to join antenatal care groups for peer support during pregnancy and after delivery. He stated that USAID AMPATH Uzima program is already collaborating with the department of health to support antenatal care groups to ensure mothers attend clinics continuously, receive quality care and avoid home deliveries and its associated risks.
Pamela Semo, the County Community Health Services Coordinator, reiterated the administration’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services and urged expectant mothers to also seek guidance from community health promoters as the frontline support system at the community level and to avoid home deliveries at all cost.
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