Nairobi: Health experts and policymakers have renewed calls for urgent investment in health systems to contain maternal and newborn deaths in the country. They told the national advocacy forum on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) in Nairobi that it was time a more elaborate strategy was employed to ensure preventable fatalities were minimised as the country accelerates her journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Vision 2030.
According to Kenya News Agency, the forum, held under the theme 'Accelerating Policy Reforms for RMNCAH+N', was marked by a moving account of a 31-year-old mother who nearly lost her life during childbirth, underscoring the urgency of action. Dr Kireki Omwana, President of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Association of Kenya, recounted a critical situation where a woman's life was saved through improvisation with a catheter and a condom due to the unavailability of a balloon tampon. He highlighted the importance of what he termed as the 'five survival pillars': skilled staff, essential medicines, blood, basic equipment, and ICU care, which are often lacking in many hospitals across Kenya, contributing to approximately 6,000 maternal deaths annually.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports Kenya's maternal mortality ratio at 355 deaths per 100,000 live births, translating to 20 women dying daily while giving birth. Dr James Nyikal, Chair of the Parliamentary Health Committee and member of Parliament for Seme Constituency, stressed that policy gaps are not the main issue but rather the weakness in systemic implementation. He pointed out that without strong governance, adequate human resources, functional referral systems, and accountability, financial investments and strategies will not yield successful outcomes.
Dr Edward Serem, Head of RMNCAH+N at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the role of advocacy in uniting various elements like training, commodities, and infrastructure, stating that leadership is developed through advocacy. Civil society leaders echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of translating existing policies into action. Lisa Mshega, Project Lead for Maternal Health at HENNET, emphasized that every mother and child counts and that the nation's future depends on them.
Dr Emmy Chesire Cheboi, First Lady of Baringo, shared practical approaches being implemented at the county level to promote facility-based deliveries, exclusive breastfeeding, expanded immunisation, and tackle adolescent health issues such as early pregnancy and female genital mutilation. She advocated for incentivizing mothers to deliver in hospitals with adequately equipped and welcoming facilities.
The forum concluded with leaders reaffirming their commitment to eliminating preventable maternal and newborn deaths by 2030, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and Vision 2030. Dr Omwana concluded by stating that the issue is not about untreatable diseases but about making the decision to value and save women's lives, calling for immediate action.