Health workers at Mutuati Sub-County Hospital in Igembe North, Meru County, have urged families to embrace voluntary family planning and responsible parenthood to reduce cases of child neglect and abandonment.
The medics said parents should consider having children they can adequately provide for, noting that manageable family sizes enable parents to meet their children’s basic needs, including food, healthcare, education, clothing and shelter.
The call follows the rescue of a 10-year-old girl who was found living on the streets in Naathu and taken to Mutuati Sub-County Hospital, where she is receiving treatment and temporary shelter.
The girl, Precious Kanario, a Grade Three pupil at Mburanjiru Primary School, was born and raised in Ngaya village but dropped out of school after she was allegedly abandoned by her parents.
Speaking from the children’s ward at the hospital, Precious said she had been living alone and expressed her desire to return to school.
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“I live alone. I was accused by my father of stealing Sh20. I do not know where my younger sibling went. I want to go back to school,” she said.
Nurse Pamela Nkubu said Precious was brought to the hospital by a community health promoter after a well-wisher rescued her from the streets.
“She was brought here by a community health promoter after a well-wisher rescued her from the streets. We have managed her epilepsy, but no parent or guardian has come to check on her,” Ms Nkubu said.
She said the hospital had continued to provide the girl with medical care and temporary support as efforts to trace her family and establish a safe environment for her continued.
The health workers said cases involving vulnerable children highlight the need for parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for the welfare and protection of children.
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They urged residents to seek information on family planning services from health facilities and community health promoters, stressing that family planning should be voluntary and based on informed choices.
The medics also called on community members to report cases of children living without proper care or supervision so that appropriate authorities can intervene and protect them.
By Kiritu Kinyua
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