21 counties to benefit from Sh10 billion plan to cut maternal, newborn deaths

21 counties to benefit from Sh10 billion plan to cut maternal, newborn deaths - Women in conflict-affected and fragile countries face significantly higher risks of maternal death, WHO has warned.(Photo: Freepik)

The investment is intended to strengthen maternal and newborn health services by improving access to essential care, supporting health workers and upgrading the systems and facilities needed to protect mothers and babies.

21 counties are set to benefit from an $80 million (Sh10 billion) five-year investment plan aimed at reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

The programme, developed jointly by the Government of Kenya and the Beginnings Fund, will support 200 health facilities and seeks to prevent an estimated 46,494 maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths by 2030.

The plan was discussed during a consultative meeting held at Afya House on Thursday morning between Medical Services Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Ouma Oluga and a Beginnings Fund team led by Chief Executive Officer Alice Kangethe.

The meeting focused on how the investment plan will be carried out and how the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the fund will coordinate their efforts to achieve the targets.

According to MoH, the 200 facilities targeted by the programme will include 20 Level 5 hospitals, 136 Level 4 hospitals and 44 high-volume health centres.

"The investment will strengthen emergency obstetric and newborn care, access to essential commodities and medical technologies, and training and support for health workers," the Ministry said.

Latest Stories

  • Governor Abdulswamad blames court battles for stalled Mombasa waste management project
  • Kenyan working for US child welfare agency arrested over alleged visa overstay
  • Court summons Charles Kerich, Governor Sakaja over Sh76.7 million legal fees debt
  • London Marathon considers male pacemakers as Ruth Chepngetich's record faces scrutiny

It will also improve referral systems, blood availability and maternity and newborn care infrastructure, while integrating maternal and newborn health data into TaifaCare to strengthen performance monitoring and accountability.

Health workers will receive training and support to strengthen their ability to provide maternal and newborn services. The plan will also seek to improve referral systems, increase blood availability and upgrade maternity and newborn care infrastructure.

The Ministry added that the programme will complement the national Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Investment Case and the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan.

Another key part of the investment will be integrating maternal and newborn health data into TaifaCare to improve performance monitoring and accountability. This is expected to help track progress and assess how well health facilities are delivering services.

To oversee the programme, MoH and Beginnings Fund noted that they will establish joint governance arrangements, with Dr Oluga designated to co-chair the Steering Committee.

Implementation will be guided by clearly defined responsibilities, measurable milestones and performance-based financing. County governments will also take part in the programme to support the delivery of services in the targeted areas.

The partners will further work towards progressive domestic financing to ensure the improvements achieved during the five-year investment period can be sustained beyond the programme.

By 2030, the plan is expected to reach 5.9 million mothers and newborns with higher-quality care and prevent an estimated 46,494 maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths.

The investment is intended to strengthen maternal and newborn health services by improving access to essential care, supporting health workers and upgrading the systems and facilities needed to protect mothers and babies.