Kenya is facing a severe shortage of obstetric drapes, essential medical tools used to detect excessive bleeding after childbirth, putting thousands of mothers at increased risk. The shortage has been reported nationwide, forcing healthcare providers to revert to outdated and less accurate methods of estimating blood loss, which increases the danger to both mothers and newborns.
Obstetric drapes play a critical role in quickly identifying postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. These drapes allow clinicians to accurately measure blood loss during delivery, enabling swift and lifesaving interventions such as blood transfusions. PPH is medically defined as blood loss exceeding 500ml in vaginal births or 1,000ml in Caesarean sections.
Without these tools, many healthcare workers are now resorting to using visual estimation or manual methods, which are prone to error. Inaccurate measurement can lead to delays in treatment, increasing the risk of severe complications or death. On average, Kenya loses 21 women daily due to childbirth-related complications, with at least 10 of these deaths linked to excessive bleeding. The maternal mortality rate currently stands at 355 deaths per 100,000 live births, translating to between 6,000 and 8,000 preventable deaths each year.
Efforts are underway to address the shortage. Several organisations are working together to source more drapes and improve access to lifesaving maternal health supplies. Advocacy campaigns are being run to raise awareness and funds, alongside initiatives that encourage regular blood donation to ensure that blood is readily available in maternity wards. Rapid access to blood supplies is essential during cases of severe bleeding, as delays in transfusion can be fatal.
Experts emphasize that reliable and consistent access to medical supplies is critical for ensuring maternal safety before, during, and after childbirth. They highlight that in high-income countries, maternal deaths are extremely rare often fewer than 10 per 100,000 live births while in many African nations the figure ranges between 300 and 600, and in some cases even reaches 1,000.
Health specialists argue that stronger domestic funding is key to addressing the crisis. This could be achieved through increased budget allocation, improved healthcare system performance, preventive health measures, and community-driven solutions. The shortage of obstetric drapes serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to strengthen maternal healthcare infrastructure to save the lives of mothers across Kenya.
