The number of women giving birth in Naivasha hospitals has increased tremendously since the free maternity services introduction in public hospitals, sub-county medical officer Oren Ombiro has said.
Speaking at Naivasha town over the weekend, Ombiro attributed the rise to the maternity fees waiver that was introduced by the government last year. He said that the numbers have risen from 50 percent last year to 78 percent now.
Ombiro indicated that the rise has seen many infants saved and there is a reduction in delivery complications.
“The number of children who die during childbirth has also reduced significantly since women can access good antenatal care,” he added.
The medical officer, however, expressed concerns over the low number of women who access antenatal care. He pointed out that only 40 percent of women accessed the facility for antenatal care in the last one year.
Ombiro urged women to seek prenatal care to curb complications experienced during childbirth. The official called on the national and county government to provide more resources to deal with the high number of women seeking maternity services.
He said provision of more resources in terms of medicine, facilities and equipment will ensure provision of quality services.