Expectant women in Mombasa County have lauded the move by the county government to install a new delivery equipment at a health centre in Jomvu to assist women during delivery.
The equipment was installed at Mikindani Health Centre to help expectant mothers from Jomvu and its environs who are forced to travel long distances to access delivery services.
Rukia Mwamedi, who is due in two months said the availability of maternity services close to them will be of great help since initially they were forced to travel long distances to seek the services.
“Expectant mothers in the area have for a long time been forced to travel long distances to Coast General Hospital which has been challenging because the road is congested due to traffic jams.”
“The introduction of the delivery equipment has improved access and quality of health services to expectant mothers in Jomvu,” said Rukia.
The Sh2.1 million delivery equipment from the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) and the county government was installed late in March.
Fauzia Mohamed, a mother of two and also expectant said that the availability of the service at their doorsteps will reduce maternal deaths in the area.
She said some of the women have suffered for long with some of them being forced to give birth at home due to lack of maternity facility or funds to take them to hospitals which are far.
“We want to thank the county government for installing the delivery equipment close to the women of Jomvu. The women are now taking advantage of the delivery equipment to deliver at the health centre since now the health centre is well equipped for maternity services,” said Mohamed.
The equipment includes a delivery bed, suction machine, delivery tray, baby weighing scale, drum gauze, examination lamp, drip stand, heater, patient lockers and mother’s recovery bed.