NMS Takes Action Against Pumwani Hospital Guards

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A screengrab of the incident outside Pumwani Hospital, Nairobi on Friday, September 18, 2020
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Nairobi Metropolitan Services responded to public outcry after a mother was denied entry and gave birth outside Pumwani Hospital on Sunday, September 13.

In response to the issue, NMS Director of Health Services Josephine Kibaru stated that changes had already been effected at the security desk.

NMS also set up a customer service desk at the hospital to take care of patients' immediate needs.

NMS Director of Health Services Josephine Kibaru
NMS Director of Health Services Josephine Kibaru
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"Going forward, officers from the National Police Service will augment the provision of security at Pumwani Hospital, Mbagathi Hospital, Mama Lucy Hospital and Mutuini Hospital in Dagoretti to prevent disruption of services," the press release read. 

NMS committed to training front office staff in all its facilities.

Contrary to media reports, the incident did not happen on Friday, September 18, but on September 13 after nurses began a legally notified go-slow which has since ended.

Fortunately, despite being denied entry, a nurse from the facility rushed to the scene to assist in the delivery and admission of the mother. 

"We take this opportunity to apologise to all Kenyans and our mothers in particular for this unfortunate incident," the NMS apologised. 

Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris had condemned the hospital administrators and urged relevant authorities to look into the matter. 

"The mistreatment of a pregnant woman at the gates of Pumwani Maternity Hospital is a shameful indictment of our health facilities. An enduring state is judged by the social services to its most vulnerable citizens.

"We failed this mother and her child at her hour of need, yet the Universal Health Coverage is among President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four Agenda. I demand that the NMS and Inspector General speed up investigations into this matter," Passaris posted on her social media pages.

The Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi.
The Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi.
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