NEW MOTHERS DILEMMA AT THE LARGEST LAMU IDP'S CAMP.
JANE MUGAMBI
Expectant mothers at the largest camp in Katsakairo, lamu
county are in a dilemma fearing for the outbreak of diseases to their newly born children.
The new mothers are fearing that their new children will contract diseases since they have not been vaccinated.
Rachel Ng’eve who gave birth on Monday said that her fear is
losing the new born after she gave birth in the camp through the assistant of
the traditional birth attendants due to the ongoing nurses strike.
She said that after giving birth the one week child has not
been able to get the jabs needed immediately after birth due to the striking
nurses.
During her pregnancy period, she was not able to attend clinic
due to the strike again, resulting her to source for a TBA.
“I had to source for a traditional birth attendant after I realized
that am due, nurses are till striking, I gave birth on Monday but my child has
not received any jab” she said.
Another mother Grace Pendo is also a worried mother who said
that her two weeks son has not received any jab also due to the strike that
nurses are in.
She said that they cannot afford the required cash to visit
a private clinic citing that in the camp they have been reduced to beggars.
We are fearing that our children might contract the diseases
that are in the camp like coughing, measles that might lead to their deaths.
“We have been reduced to beggars by being told to move to
the camps, if we were still in the farms, we would have been able to get money
where we could have sort services from even private clinics” said Pendo.
Christine
Akinyi,expectant cited the dangers they are exposed to due to the
living condition in the area, they are sleeping on mats on the floor, no
blanket, the space in the tent is limited thus air circulation is also
limited.
Contacted for comments,Lamu director of health David Mulewa
said that they are sourcing for funds that will enable them have an outreach in
the three camps that are in Witu.
He said that for now their hands are tied since there is no
allocation done regarding the camps.
Over 2,500 families moved for their homes in the month of
June this year after several attacks in Pandanguo, Jima,Maleli by criminals
suspected to be alshabaab.
