With the ongoing doctors' strike paralysing operations in public health facilities, expectant mothers in Likoni can breathe a sigh of relief, after a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) set up a maternity unit in the area.
The facility was established by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in partnership with the Mombasa County Government.
The maternity unit, which became operational last week, is made of 11 containers which have been combined together.
“We came up with this structure after realising that construction of the maternity building will take long yet mothers continue suffering,” said Josephine Masikini, MSF Likoni field coordinator .
Masikini said so far 40 deliveries have been conducted at the facility which is located at Mrima Health Centre, with cesarean services expected to begin next week.
"So far, the facility has handled over 40 deliveries and we expect cesarean services to be operational next week once the theaters are ready," she added.
She said the facility which was set up at a cost of Sh17 million has four doctors, four nurses and 22 midwives.