Health workers in efforts to save the prematurely born babies

The Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

The government is working on strategies to curb deaths of premature babies. 

World prematurity day was celebrated with Murang’a county, with health care providers urging mothers on the need to attend antenatal clinics three months after they conceive.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata said his administration has embarked at addressing concerns through the introduction of a maternal programme  that has helped deliveries made in hospitals.

The county government , he said, has given free iron and folic acid supplements to all expectant mothers across county health facilities to safeguard the health of both mothers and their newborns.

“ The maternal programme has managed to reduce the maternal deaths through intensive care to both mothers and their newborns,”said Kang’ata.

Dr Juliet Omuoha  from the ministry of health regretted the death of newborns remains a major challenge saying the new guidance being formulated to curb the challenges.

She said the government through the collaboration with the county governments will formulate policy guidance geared towards provision of adequate health workers to attend the new board.

“The premature borns are supposed to be assisted in all the hospitals to reduce the number of deaths,” said Omuoha from the new born and child health department.

She added that the collaboration between the national and county governments is developing policies, guidelines and care that focus on the establishment of  new born nests.

“ There is also a mentorship package for the health workers,” she said.

 Murang’a Health Director Dr James Mburu said there is need to educate the public to intensify the risks ahead of the new borns and especially those prematurely born.

 Chief Nursing Officer Salome Kimani said  there is a need for expectant mothers to ensure they attend clinics regularly and ensure they deliver in the health facilities.

“There are major benefits to the mothers when they attend clinics as advised by the medical officers,” said Ms Kimani.