Medical practitioners in Garissa have been urged to conduct sensitisation programmes to the local communities on reproductive health as a way of reducing high mortality rates among mothers and infants.
Ken Lwaki, the North Eastern Regional coordinator of Population issues stated that a high number of maternal deaths are still being reported despite the county governments putting up maternity centres and even availing emergency services closer to the communities.
Lwaki further said that health practitioners and other medical experts should re-direct their energies on sensitization campaigns so as to educate the ignorant mothers on the importance of attending routine clinic checks and giving birth in licensed health facilities.
“Women are jittery when being attended to by male health workers. This has kept many of them away from attending and getting deliveries in health facilities”, he said.
Lwaki said such campaigns should also address concerns raised by the women because some of the key decisions made depend on an individual.