Agony as Family Members Die Amid Nurses’ Strike in Kenya

SUNDAY JULY 23 2017
Kenya Nation

Family members and relatives of Mapenzi Juma who died while seeking maternal care at a public hospital in Mombasa on July 22, 2017 mourn her death. The family wants the nurses' strike to end. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary
Nurses went on strike last month demanding salary incease.

By WINNIE ATIENO

A family in Kisauni is in pain after two members — both expectant mothers — died while seeking maternal care at public hospitals in Mombasa County.

The family blamed the double tragedy on the nationwide nurses’ strike that has paralysed services at the health institutions.

POVERTY

The relatives called upon the government to step up efforts to end the job boycott.

“If I had money, I would have taken my wife to a private hospital to give birth but she died due to poverty. I have been robbed of my wife and aunt due to poverty,” 39-year-old Juma Kanda said.

FREE MATERNITY

His wife, Mapenzi Juma, 34, was expecting their fifth child but she died on Saturday evening while searching for a hospital where she could give birth under the free maternal care programme.

STRIKE

He said she died on arrival at the Sayyida Fatima Hospital.

Mr Kanda said his aunt, Ms Halima Kenga, was recently rushed to three different public hospitals but she was turned away by the guards due to the nurses’ strike.

“Two weeks ago, my aunt died at the same hospital. We buried her last week. It has been one tragedy after another,” he said.

He added: “It is sad that politicians are failing to address the health crisis. How can they ask for votes from a sick nation?”