By Betty Luke
Isiolo County has for a longtime been grappling with high rate of maternal mortality that stands at 790 for every 100,000 births according to latest reports.
The rate, more than double the country’s average rate that stands at 362 deaths, has been linked to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriages, lack of health know-how, high distance between health facilities and unskilled Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs).
Iresaboru in Garbatulla Sub-County is among the areas struggling with the situation attributed to presence of unskilled midwives and low health education for expectant women on antenatal care services and danger signs during pregnancy.
However, for the last six months cases have greatly reduced following deployment of a dedicated nurse at Iresaboru Dispensary who walks for many kilometres to help expectant mothers deliver safely.
Mr Rashid Abdi who previously worked at Isiolo Referral Hospital was transferred to the dispensary in January this year and now takes pride in conducting about five safe deliveries in the area every month.
“Since I came here, I have together with my colleague been able to sensitize residents on the need to involve skilled birth attendants for safe delivery and we are proud that several families have embraced it,” said Mr Abdi.
The 24-year-old nurse, after being notified of women nearing delivery, walks to the homes to help them deliver.
He says emergency cases are referred to the Garbatulla Sub-County Hospital while complicated ones to Isiolo County Referral Hospital.
“Early referrals are highly recommended as we can easily monitor the patient and provide necessary assistance,” he said
The nurse works with Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in monitoring of pregnant mothers and ensuring mothers present their children at the health centres for immunization.
Local administrators have greatly assisted in ensuring all expectant women only seek services from professional birth attendants.
“Our chiefs and police officers have greatly assisted in ensuring all children are brought to the facility for immunization,” the nurse, who takes pride in caring for children, said.
Pictures of the health worker walking through floods while carrying cold vaccine boxes, a day to rollout of May’s Polio vaccination drive that targeted 13 high risk counties, recently trended online with Kenyans praising him for the dedication.
He had to walk for more than 10 kilometers from the Garbatulla depot where he had picked the vaccines as vehicle could not manurve through the cut-off area due to floods occasioned by recent downpour.
“I sacrificed because I take pride in saving lives and especially children,” he said.
Mr Abdi conducted the five-day exercise alone since his colleague was on leave and reached out to more than 1,000 children across the vast region.
“I lost my phone during the exercise but I am happy that I reached out over 1000 children,” the health worker noted.
The determined and hardworking health worker dreams of ensuring zero maternal mortality in near future and says he is fully committed to achieving it.
