Kiambu Government/FILE
The County Government of Kiambu has moved to dismiss reports claiming a surge in newborn deaths within its health facilities, calling such claims “false” and “sensationalised.”
In a statement released on Friday, the County Executive’s Department of Health Services clarified that the alleged crisis is being exaggerated, largely following an ongoing industrial action by some doctors.
“These claims are false and aimed at creating a crisis that is nonexistent in the health sector in Kiambu,” the statement reads.
The county government said that services in all its health facilities have remained uninterrupted despite a few doctors choosing to boycott work.
''Replacement staff were immediately hired to ensure continuity of care,'' the statement said.
“Suggesting that neonatal deaths have increased as a result of the industrial action is both misleading and untrue,” the statement added.
According to the statement, hospital data is reportedly available from both the facilities themselves and the Ministry of Health.
Maina Mbuthia, County Executive Committee Member on Department of Health Services, said Independent organisations such as Newborn Essential Solutions and Technologies (NEST), which track neonatal health in real time, have not reported any increase in deaths.
The county further stressed that even the hospitals mentioned in the controversial reports do not hold data to support the claims.
“While even one newborn death is one too many, the figures being circulated are exaggerated in an attempt to portray Kiambu’s healthcare as being in crisis. Nothing could be further from the truth,” the statement emphasised.
According to the statement, Kiambu’s health performance is among the best in the country.
Recent data shows an average of eight neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births, significantly lower than the national average of 17 per 1,000, and well below the Sustainable Development Goals target of 12 deaths per 1,000 live births.
The statement highlighted Kiambu Level V Hospital’s recognition at the United Nations General Assembly for recording zero maternal deaths between January and July this year.
The county attributed its strong neonatal outcomes to continuous oversight by qualified consultants and specialist neonatal nursing officers, as well as its collaboration with NEST to reduce newborn deaths in African hospitals.
The County Government also addressed staffing concerns, noting that while no county in Kenya has the WHO-recommended doctor-to-population ratio, Kiambu has the highest number of doctors after Nairobi.
Recruitment continues to ensure adequate staffing, and maternity services are maintained around the clock.
The statement criticised the Ministry of Health for what it described as “unnecessary involvement” in county health affairs, particularly regarding the abrupt recall of interns under proper supervision.
“We find it odd that the Ministry chose to withdraw the interns in haste, without first conducting the requisite situation assessment of the internship centre, which is the standard procedure,” it said.
Finally, the county urged residents to remain calm.
“There is no crisis in our hospitals as depicted by the false narrative in the media. If indeed 136 newborn deaths had occurred in such a short period, it would have triggered a public outcry from our people. Where is the evidence? Making claims is easy, but proof is what matters,” the statement said.
