Nyamira County Commissioner Amos Mariba has issued a new directive to chiefs and their assistants following an increase in the number of expectant women who are giving birth at their homes.
Addressing a meeting attended by chiefs and their assistants in Nyamira town on Tuesday, Mariba said the administrators should work closely with Nyumba Kumi officials and community health volunteers to ensure expectant mothers attend maternal clinics as required.
"Women who don't attend maternal clinics are the ones who don't go to give birth in a hospital. As a measure to ensure no woman or newborn dies during birth, chiefs should ensure expectant mothers in their areas of jurisdiction visit health centres regularly," said Mariba.
The commissioner further stated that he will personally supervise the exercise.
He, however, wondered why women shy away from giving birth in hospitals yet the national government introduced the free maternal health care policy.
"It is high time deaths during birth are curbed by ensuring expectant mothers attend maternal clinics and deliver in hospitals. This will ensure that trained medical personnel tackle any complications which may arise during childbirth thus saving the lives of mothers and their newborns," Mariba said.