At least 50 women in Migori County die from pregnancy-related complications every year, according to a report by Dr. Daniel Agullo, a member of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.
Despite extensive collaboration between the Ministry of Health and private partners, maternal deaths are on the rise, raising concerns among health officials in the region.
Dr. Agullo attributes these preventable deaths primarily to poor access to reproductive health services, citing inadequate infrastructure as a significant barrier.
He highlighted overcrowding in local government health facilities managed by underpaid, demotivated, and overworked health providers as a key factor contributing to the health crisis.
The report also reveals the uneven distribution of healthcare workers, with most stationed in urban centers at referral hospitals, leaving rural health facilities underserved.
This lack of healthcare professionals in rural areas severely impacts women in these regions who have limited access to essential reproductive care.
Dr. Agullo specifically noted the high maternal mortality rate recorded on Migingo Island in Lake Victoria, attributing it to a lack of adequate health services on the island.
He called on the relevant authorities to work closely with health professionals on the ground to effectively reach out to local residents and mitigate the health crisis in the region.
