Nurses strike. [File,Standard]
The Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS) has raised concerns over the risk of maternal and child deaths due the ongoing nationwide nurses strike, citing the continued disruption of essential healthcare services across the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 4, the President of KOGS, Dr Kireki Omanwa, said they were concerned about reports that the industrial action had now extended to the Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya’s largest national referral facility.
“Every day that this strike continues, pregnant mothers, women with obstetric and gynaecological emergencies, and newborn babies face an increased risk of preventable illness, disability and death,” he said.
“Childbirth does not wait. Obstetric emergencies such as postpartum haemorrhage, eclampsia, obstructed labour, ruptured ectopic pregnancy, severe pre-eclampsia and fetal distress require immediate intervention. Omwana added.
