(Simon Njogu is a columnist and a trained journalist)
There is no joy that compares to that of an expectant mother entering a maternity ward and leaving with her bundle of joy, alive and healthy.
All the labour pain seems to be forgotten as soon as the baby arrives after hours of excruciating pain and struggle which is the price a mother has to pay after a painstaking nine months of waiting.
However, Kiambu Level 5 Hospital seems to be on the verge of adding more long-lasting pain to mothers due to regular deaths of infants in the hands of the staff.
Reportedly, 60 newborn babies have died since December last year, raising alarm and calling for speedy investigations on the matter.
Based on several revelations from affected relatives and their friends, it is apparent that the hospital may have neglected several conditions to ensure infants’ safety and well-being.
The newborn unit is the most affected and faulty incubators and/or inexperienced staff could be the causative factor.
Nonetheless, the hospital's management has plausibly denied the allegations so strongly that their explanation could pass for the truth.
Sadly, this neither relieves the pain of the affected mothers, relatives and friends nor does it provide a solution to this sad state of affairs.
Conversely, the management ought to launch and expedite investigations into the matter to ensure that the reputation of this revered institution is not tainted.
Not so long ago, when asked why the hospital is full of patients with some forced to share beds, Kiambu Governor Ferdinard Waititu was quoted saying that patients travel from far and wide to seek the admirable medical services at this hospital.
Thus, any right-minded Kenyan would ask “What has changed or it is simply because they don’t have the luxury of evaluating various options?
Either way, the county government should act with haste and ensure that mothers are not subjected to inexplicable agony, grief and pain due to negligence of the part of the hospital management.
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