Kenya is stepping up targeted investments to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal and newborn deaths, with the Government moving to establish 10 comprehensive maternal and newborn health facilities in counties with the highest burden.
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale held bilateral deliberations with Governors and their representatives, led by Council of Governors Health Committee Chairperson and Mombasa Governor H.E. Abdullswamad Nassir, on translating President William Ruto’s directive to prioritise maternal and newborn health into concrete action.
The 250-bed specialised facilities will be established in Nairobi, Bomet, Kwale, Mombasa, Garissa, Kisumu, Embu, Nakuru, West Pokot and Uasin Gishu. They will bring critical maternal and newborn health services closer to communities while advancing Universal Health Coverage.
Supported by a KES 4.4 billion grant from Amsons Group through the Mama na Mtoto Kwanza initiative, in partnership with the Government of Kenya, the project complements the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere programme and will address gaps in specialised care.
Each facility will integrate antenatal and postnatal care, labour and recovery services, obstetric care, Caesarean sections, maternal and neonatal intensive care, theatres, neonatal intensive care units and post-Caesarean wards. This will create a comprehensive continuum of care for mothers and newborns.
The investment will prioritise areas of greatest need following the mapping of 26 counties that collectively account for approximately 60 per cent of Kenya’s maternal deaths. The targeted approach is aligned with World Health Organization benchmarks and Kenya’s commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
Workforce capacity is also being strengthened under the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere programme. So far, 900 healthcare workers have been trained in obstetric care and another 900 in comprehensive newborn care. The ongoing recruitment of 5,000 nurses and midwives will further expand the skilled workforce required to support the services.
Complementing the infrastructure investment, KES 4 billion is being channelled through the Social Health Authority to support maternal deliveries at Levels 2 and 3 facilities, widening access to safe and quality maternity care.
With groundbreaking expected by September, the discussions focused on strengthening coordination between the National and County Governments and fast-tracking implementation to deliver measurable improvements in maternal and newborn survival.
The meeting brought together Governors H.E. Anyang’ Nyong’o of Kisumu and H.E. Cecily Mbarire of Embu; Deputy Governors Shadrack Rotich of Bomet and Achaule Robert of West Pokot; County Executive Committee Members led by Dr. Gregory Ganda of Kisumu; Ministry of Health Director for Family Health Dr. Bashir Issak; Presidential Advisor on Health Wilson Aruasa; Head of Infrastructure, Projects and Grants Management Dr. Hezron Omolo; and other Ministry officials.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
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Kenya to Establish 10 Specialised Maternal and Newborn Health Facilities
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