Homa bay: The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has sounded the alarm over the country's high rate of preventable newborn deaths. KEMRI Director General Prof. Elijah Songok revealed that more than 3,000 infants die annually, highlighting significant challenges in the nation's neonatal care.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the 12th Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, Prof. Songok emphasized the loss of these lives from preventable causes, which could be avoided through timely interventions. He identified intrauterine hypoxia as the leading cause, with data from the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) study in Western Kenya showing that 64 percent of stillbirths are preventable. Additional risk factors include untreated maternal infections such as syphilis and malaria, along with hypertension and anemia, which are manageable with appropriate care.
A sub-study in Kisumu and Siaya counties disclosed that one in three newborn deaths is linked to complicated deliveries, while many preterm infants succumb to hospital-acquired infections due to inadequate neonatal care protocols. KEMRI's review of 80 studies highlighted that only 54 percent of expectant mothers complete the recommended four antenatal visits. Barriers include distance, cost, drug shortages, health worker shortages, and cultural issues such as stigma against male involvement in antenatal care.
Prof. Songok stressed the importance of taking collective action to save lives, stating that KEMRI has proposed a four-point plan to address the crisis. This plan includes strengthening primary healthcare, utilizing technology and data to identify high-risk pregnancies, investing in health workers, and fostering multi-sectoral partnerships to finance and enhance care.
Furthermore, KEMRI plans to update national guidelines by incorporating recent findings on malaria in pregnancy, preterm care, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Prof. Songok called for a collaborative effort, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring safe pregnancies, skilled birth attendance, and a healthy start for every newborn. He concluded by underscoring that a mother's health is the foundation of a healthy nation, urging all stakeholders to work together in building that foundation.