Police officers will be deployed to man 4 major hospitals in Nairobi, the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has declared.
NMS medical services directorate in a statement issued as a public apology after a woman delivered at the entrance of Pumwani Maternity Hospital said a security guard was to blame.
NMS medical services boss Josephine Mbai issued the statement after video circulated widely on social media platforms showing a mother in labour pain outside the hospital gate.
Kenyans raised concerns after it emerged in the video that the woman delivered without the attention of medical staff.
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Passers-by were heard shouting that the baby's head was visible and demanded the security guards allow the woman access to the hospital.
According to Mbai, a nurse at the hospital helped the woman deliver and she was admitted with the newborn before being released in good health.
She said it was unfortunate that a security guard blocked the woman from accessing the hospital despite being in dire need of medical attention.
"We take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to the mother and her child, their family,Nairobians and our mothers in particular for this most unfortunate incidence. We affirm our commitment to improve, ensure the delivery of affordable, accessible and quality Health Care," stated Mbai in her statement on Saturday.
She said the incidence occured a week ago when nurses were on strike and that NMS had intervened on time, resolving the issues raised by the medical staff.
"Going forward, officers from the National Police Service will augment the provision of security services at Pumwani, Mbagathi, Mama Lucy and Mutuini to prevent disruption of services," the director's statement read in part.
The woman and her baby were discharged form the facility on September 18, 2020.
