Lead image for Bill proposes fines and jail terms for hospitals, medics over preventable maternal deaths.
The death of Lilian Otieno, 31, and her foetus in May this year exposed the difficulties expectant women face during delivery. Lilian died at Kendu Adventist Hospital, moments after being referred from Kendu Sub-County Hospital, where she had first reported. She could have delivered at the first facility, but a lack of blood for transfusion forced health workers to turn her away. Earlier, she had given birth along the road at 3am in the rain. The baby died from cold, and a retained placenta complicated her condition.
Lilian had registered with the Social Health Authority, prepared a birth plan, and attended antenatal clinic six times at Oyombe Health Centre, where she was assured of a successful delivery. She had learned her lesson four years earlier, when she delivered by the roadside and nearly lost her life. Every year, approximately 5,000 to 6,000 Kenyan women die from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications, about 16 deaths daily, according to the United Nations Population Fund.
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Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla wants to strengthen efforts to reduce these deaths and has sponsored the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Bill 2023. The Bill seeks to impose fines on health facilities and individuals whose actions lead to the death of women and their children, and also introduces services for children up to 12 years old.
The senator cited anaemia as a major cause of death among expectant women, noting that most of these deaths are preventable. However, in some cases, health workers are accused of laxity, which has led to the loss of both maternal and infant lives.
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"No mother should die while trying to give life," Senator Ogolla said. "The Bill has provisions that will impose penalties for negligence, including a fine of up to Sh1 million or a jail term of up to five years." She also proposes making it illegal to deny pregnant women or infants certain essential services.
In Lilian's case, Homa Bay County defended itself against accusations of negligence. Dr Kevin Osuri, the county Medical Service chief officer, explained that Kendu Sub-County Hospital lacked sufficient blood when Lilian arrived. "She had to be referred to a facility where there was blood. Though we try our best, sometimes we have stock-outs," he said, adding that the county relies on the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre in Kisumu for screening, which takes time.