Five years have elapsed since the inception of the much-touted free maternity care, which had one of its aims to reduce maternal and child deaths. With reimbursement from the national government to cover the deliveries, Ogonji states that free maternity care improved deliveries under skilled care in Siaya from 59 per cent to 66 per cent in five years. “A good example where we are failing as a nation is that while there is free maternity care, midwives are not being employed to care for mothers in labour,” laments Oroko. Oroko states, “A midwife who would take care of three mothers now takes care of ten mothers. From April 1, 2016 to June 30 2016, NHIF contracted private and faith-based health facilities to carry out free maternity care but only cared for deliveries.

Source: Standard Digital April 16, 2018 12:33 UTC