The Kitui County Health Ministry is under fire after a pregnant woman was forced to give birth at the gates of Kyatune Health Centre in Kitui South Constituency due to a lack of immediate assistance.
Eyewitnesses reported that locals called for help when they saw the woman struggling in labor outside the facility. A nurse, who wished to remain anonymous, told Channel 15 News that staff rushed out to assist the woman, who was already in the midst of delivery.
The nurse revealed that Kyatune Health Centre, which serves a significant portion of Kyatune/Ikanga Ward, is inadequately equipped to handle critical cases. “We lack essential equipment like incubators for newborns and a reliable ambulance for patient referrals,” the nurse said.
Channel 15 News’ investigation further confirmed that the facility suffers from severe understaffing and a shortage of medical supplies, which limits its ability to provide comprehensive care.
The woman has since been transferred to Kitui Referral Hospital, where she is now receiving appropriate medical attention.
In response to the incident, Kitui County Health Minister Ruth Koki visited the health centre earlier this week. She assured the public that improvements would be made to ensure the facility can meet the needs of the community. “This situation is unacceptable, and we are committed to upgrading the services and resources at Kyatune Health Centre,” Koki stated.
The incident has drawn attention to the fact that the Kitui County Assembly recently approved a budget allocation exceeding Ksh 3.9 billion for healthcare, representing 30% of the county’s budget. Despite this substantial funding, the incident at Kyatune Health Centre underscores the gaps in healthcare delivery and resource allocation in the region.
