By D, KNA
Kajiado County Executive Committee Member for Health, Alex Kilowua, has advised women in the county to promptly attend antenatal clinics once they find out that they are expectant.
Kilowua noted that expectant women who seek antenatal services early in pregnancy can be helped by doctors once any problem is screened thus safeguarding the lives of the mother and the in-born child.
He emphasized that expectant women should attend at least eight antenatal clinics before child birth which are essential in protecting the lives of the expectant mother and their unborn child.
During the antenatal clinics, pregnant women can receive micronutrient supplements, immunization against tetanus, HIV testing and medications to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV as well as treatment for hypertension to prevent eclampsia in addition to socio-emotional and psychological support.
The CECM also urged men to take an active role in the pregnancy journey and to support their partners rather than abandon them only to resurface when their women have delivered.
“It is unfortunate that most men normally abandon their partners when they are expectant. I urge you to walk with them throughout the pregnancy journey and offer them all the emotional help they need. This will also play a role in reducing maternal mortalities,” said Kilowua
He further urged men to be seeking health services often noting that with the rise of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure in the county, it is prudent for one to know their health status.
“We should have good health living behaviour. We are concerned that most people, especially men, only seek medical services when their condition has deteriorated. Let us stop relying on traditional herbs and make use of the modern health facilities for better health,” added Kilowua.
The CECM affirmed that the county is committed to ensuring that every resident has access to quality and affordable healthcare and urged residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Dr. Lydia Munteyian, the Director of Medical Services said that five cases of maternal deaths have been reported in Kajiado South constituency this year.
“There are a lot of delays when it comes to reaching the hospital during labour. Most of the women come to the hospital late when they are already in advanced labour stages with some complicated cases having lost a lot of blood while others are home deliveries. We do not want to continue seeing this and we are looking into all these cases to see how we can end maternal mortalities,” said Munteyian.
The two county officials were speaking at Oloitokitok, Kajiado South constituency during the launch of a campaign to end Female Genital Mutilation.