Concern as expectant women turn to traditional birth attendants

Health experts in Migori County have raised concerns over rising cases of expectant women turning to traditional birth attendants instead of going to hospital for treatment.

The experts said most expectant mothers were not willing to go to the hospital early to register for antenatal care (ANC).

Migori County Reproductive Health Coordinator Joseph Okidi said traditional birth attendants only release expectant mothers to go to the hospital once they develop complications.

“That is why we have lost a number of mothers,” Mr Okidi said.

Migori has recorded 28 maternal deaths from January to date.

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Okidi said that the transition period from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) was a contributor to expectant women shying away from hospitals, saying that those who were not enrolled in SHA feared paying out of pocket.

He assured that once they register for SHA, expectant mothers would still get free services in low health facilities even if they have not paid the premium.

"But mothers don’t want to cling to this information. They still believe that if they come, they will be charged for the service," Okidi highlighted.

Alex Otto, a Gynecologist, regretted that mothers visit hospitals when it is already too late, once they develop complications.

“Migori County has a high mortality rate,” Dr Otto said.

Real Amae, a nurse at Migori County Referral Hospital, said the misconception that SHA could not cater for expectant women has made them turn to traditional birth attendants.

“Some mothers have been giving birth at home after Linda Mama was scrapped,” Ms Amae said.

The nurse emphasized the need for expectant women to prioritise antenatal care and give birth in the hospital.

“We are also sensitising them on the danger signs and that they need to go to the hospital if they see any. There has been a problem. With the sensitisation we have been doing, we are hopeful that many expectant mothers will make an effort to register with SHA,” she said.

According to the health experts, most deaths occur during home births in case of postpartum hemorrhage.

To help address this, Migori County health department has developed a birth companion inclusion criterion, a document that would help it map the traditional birth attendants and link them to Community Health Promoters.

"Once we roll out this one effectively, we will be able to track all the traditional birth attendants," Okidi said.

The department is also working with community health promoters to map all pregnant women within their respective areas.