The government has deployed more medical personnel to Pumwani Maternity Hospital to deal with the rising number of mothers visiting the facility after President Uhuru Kenyatta abolished maternity fee.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero yesterday said

four doctors and two clinical officers were transfered to the maternity hospital this week by the director of medical services at the Ministry of Medical Services Francis Kimani.

The doctors are Norah Adhiambo from Makueni District Hospital, Araka Kerubo from Kisii District Hospital, Maxwell Okoth from Mt Kenya Hospital and Esther Muthoni from the Nanyuki District Hospital.

Others are anaesthestist John Wanyitufrom Mama Lucy Kibaki District Hospital and clinical officer Bernard Oloo from Mbagathi District Hospital.

Kidero said the hospital normally delivers an average of 80 to 100 babies daily, 20 of them by caesarian sections.

He said this week the number has risen. "We do not want to just give free maternity services to city residents, but it should be of high quality as they are tax payers," he said.

Ideally, says Kidero, there should be one nurse for four patients but in Pumwani one nurse can serve up to 20 patients.

"What we need is support to boost personnel so we can improve the work environment," Kidero said.

The hospital lacks specialised reproductive health delivery equipment such as foetal monitors. Since its conception in 1926, the hospital has poor laboratory support and relies on donations for any new equipment.

Kidero promised that this is set to change as he has appointed a team led by the County Medical Officer of Health Robert Ayisi, to fast track the implementation of the free maternal delivery at Pumwani hospital that will costs close to Sh1 billion.

The team comprises Omondi Kumba (Chief Executive Officer- Pumwani), Esther Kiambati (Matron) and Martin Muiruri (Quantity Surveyor). Others are Samson Wambugu and Sylvia Wanjira (secretary).

"I will facilitate the acquisition of 100 additional baby cots, 10 New Born Units, 20 incubators and the construction of three new theatres," said Kidero.