Meet a Kenyan Doctor Who Performed a C-Section While Carrying Her Baby on Her Back

A Kenyan doctor who earned praise for performing a surgical operation while carrying her baby has spoken out years later.
Photos of Dr. Swabra Swaleh Briek, a gynecologist, conducting a cesarean section on an expectant woman while carrying her son on her back went viral on social media, triggering massive reactions.
The incident happened at Ol Kalou District Hospital in Nyandarua County in December 2016 after she was called to attend to a case of a pregnant woman who urgently needed cesarean delivery.
At the time, Dr. Swabra’s nanny had left for burial while her husband worked in another hospital hundreds of kilometers away.
The hospital had only one doctor covering the hospital every night and all weekend and no nurse would have helped carry the baby as they were all engaged in the labor suite. The only available nurse covering the hospital had gone for a referral to Nakuru Provincial General Hospital.
“Government hospitals as we know, have skeleton staff during the weekends. My son was crying; do I leave him down as I do the surgery?” Dr. Swabra said during an interview on TV47 on Monday.
She added: “In my head that time, I had a woman who was in front of me dying and had I not gone into surgery with my son on the back, we probably would have lost her.”
Fortunately, her son slept throughout the procedure and the surgery was successful.
Dr. Swabra, who is now stationed at Premier Hospital in Mombasa, said the woman named the child “Swabra”, in honor of the gynecologist.
Comments
Yes, are we applaud,and…
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Yes, are we applaud,and congratulate this wonderful Dr.,lets not loose sight of the bigger problem that needs urgent fixing.And that is what lead to the good doctor having to perform surgery under the conditions elucidated.
This is a wake up call that action is needed to prevent such occurance,and if we dont take heed,its bound to happen,and probably with not so pleasant ending.
We are talking of human life here.Thanks for your dedication,and sacrifice Dr,Swabra.
It is not a good Idea. What…
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It is not a good Idea. What if the child suddenly woke up and pushed its mother causing her to cut deep? It is not to be encouraged- it only goes to show how desperate we are as a country. But thank you for doing what you had to do Dr. Swaleh.
There was a better way to…
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In reply to It is not a good Idea. What… by mwororo (not verified)
There was a better way to handle this, including the doctor using her leave time to take care of the child. The hospital management is in charge of staffing, and this is a good example of failure. Imagine a child participating in such an operation, without protective gear.
You are so negative!!!! You…
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In reply to It is not a good Idea. What… by mwororo (not verified)
You are so negative!!!! You don’t see no good in this situation! She explained that was the only way and without that the woman would have died. Who and when and where did you read it is encouraged? Sounds like you one hell selfish idiot ever.
Then you will see Uhunye…
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Then you will see Uhunye award Githeri man topmost honor for chewing Githeri with an open mouth. This nation went to the dogs years ago
The strength of a woman 👠👠…
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The strength of a woman 👠👠.
Remember how women in the village used to balance a jerrican of water or firewood on the head, a jembe on the one hand and a child strapped on her back....wakitoka shambani after a long day's work ....heading home to face evening chores since they couldn't afford house-help. No song was sang for them....
Yes women are better at…
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In reply to The strength of a woman 👠👠… by JustMe (not verified)
Yes women are better at multitasking than men.A fact.@ Justme, that picture you painted there shows how women have built our communities.They deserve great respect.Unfortunately,we have some lazy Bxxxs who have taken to swindling men instead of working hard.
Dr. Swabra Swaleh did what…
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Dr. Swabra Swaleh did what she had to do to save 2 lives.
We have to understand that there is a SUPERIOR POWER THAT PROTECTS THE GOOD HEARTED.
BE BLESSED MA'AM, BE BLESSED.
There was an old fella doing…
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There was an old fella doing brain surgery in baringo in old days without any formal training. God takes care in all circumstances. In war zones the set up isn't ideal but lives are saved
I congratulate Dr Swabia for…
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I congratulate Dr Swabia for the good job of saving two souls in most difficult circumstances.I wonder what those criticizing would have done if it were themselves,their wives,their mothers or their siblings.
Bad idea. The baby can puke…
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Bad idea. The baby can puke on an open field. Did they cover the baby mouth?
Hongera Dkt. Swabra,…
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Hongera Dkt. Swabra, najivunia kuhusishwa nawe wakati tarumbeta zitakapofulizwa na Malaika kuwapongeza walioibadilisha kwa hali na mali. Nakupungia mkono wa kheri njema wewe na hata jamaa yako, unafanya kazi kama inavyotarajiwa. Tafsiri ya uzalendo wa vitendo sio kama ilivyo wakati huu katika nchi yetu. Serikali ya mabavu ya Uhuru na Raila haitakutambua wewe kwa jitihada zako za kuokoa maisha. Lakini hivi karibuni, asisi nyinginezo za kitaifa na za kidini bila shaka zitakutambua wewe, tena kwa makubwa. Ukweli usemwe na uanikwe hapa. Ingelikuwa daktari wa kabila kubwa kama vile Kikuyu, Waluo, Waluhya, Wakalenjini, Wakamba, au Meru, kibibi huyu hangepata haki ya kuishi. Nimetembea nchi kadhaa na ningependa kukariri hapa kinagaubaga kwamba, takriban asilimia themanini na saba ya madaktari wa Kenya ni mashetani waliovaa koti nyeupe. Wengi hawana huruma ya utu. Na yeyote asiniambie ni wingi wa kazi. La hasha! Ni kiu cha kupenda pesa. Na wengi wamegubikwa na vumbi ya laana. Visa vingi ambavyo mimi mwenyewe nimeyapitia hivi karibuni ya kuogovya mno. Kuelekeza macho kando wakati ulio wa dharura, kutumia muda mdogo zaidi kwa mgonjwa ili wakimbie katika kliniki za kibinafsi ilhali wao ni watumishi wa umma, kuanza matibabu kabla kwanza hawajafanya uchunguzi wa maabara, kuitisha hongo ili wamhudumu mgonjwa katika hospitali za umma, ni baadhi tu ya tabia za dhuluma za madaktari wa Kenya. Watakao ipa tena jina nzuri ya hapo awali ni madaktari Wataita kama Dkt Swabra, na wengine kutoka makabila madogo kama vile Turkana, Wateso, Borana, Wagalla, Maasai, Pokot nk.
That carelessness…
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That carelessness irresponsibility endangered the patient for just ten minutes Fame. Her license should be revoked immidiately and also time behind bars should be persued.
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