Editor's Review


Pumwani Maternity Hospital has been on the spot. [Courtesy] 

Over the past week, Pumwani hospital has been the subject of discussion on social media after a vieo emerged online showing a lady giving birth outside the hospital’s entrance.

The video sparked anger with Kenyans from across the country condemning the incident.

In an exclusive interview with NTV, the lady identified as Jackline Faustina said she was shocked to see that her life-threatening ordeal and moment of vulnerability was captured on camera and shared widely.

According to her, the staff at Pumwani hospital declined to open the gate stating that nurses were on strike and as such, no one would attend to her.

She begged the staff to let her in, but her cries fell on deaf ears. As she continued pleading, she fell into labor and had to deliver outside the facility.

“It was painful just on the road in front of people… I was afraid the baby would get hurt plus there was sun and men, I was trying to cover him and myself… I felt very bad since there were people being cared for inside the hospital, but I begged for the gate to be opened and I didn't get help until after giving birth is when they came to help me, I didn't feel good…,” she said in part.

(Ilikuwa painful kwa barabara mbele ya watu… nlikuwa naogopa mtoto asiumie plus kulikuwa na jua na watu wanaume, nlikuwa najaribu kumfunika… Nliskia vibaya sana juu ndani kulikuwa na watu wanahudumiwa lakini mimi naomba nifunguliwe gate na sikupata msaada baada ya kujifungua ndio wanakuja kunisaidia, sikuskia poa.

According to the lady, her baby was born with a few complications but the same she has already received treatment and is doing okay now.

Uproar on social media

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

"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," she said on her social media platforms.


According to Ms Passaris, the incident occurred a week ago.

"Pumwani Hospital informs me that the incident took place a week ago and that nurses eventually attended to mother and baby who are currently doing fine," the Women Rep stated.

"It's imperative that gaps in our healthcare systems are sealed, starting with grievances that lead to go-slows," she added.

You can watch the video herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2hz1rsIrew