NAIROBI, Kenya- A major funding by the United Kingdom is set to set up an emergency transport system in Kenya, dubbed M-Mama, to connect pregnant women care to help.
M-Mama will use mobile technology to connect pregnant women to care when they need it during pregnancy and childbirth. The funding will be made through Vodafone Foundation.
The announcement was made by the UK Minister for Development and Africa who said it will be under a new Maternal and Newborn Health programme.
He said the programme will benefit Kenya and other countries. The funding is worth a whooping Sh976 million.
““Sexual and reproductive health and rights are not just about individual well-being, it’s about building stronger, healthier communities. Our £5.83 million(KES 976M) investment for a new UK programme will focus on the most marginalized women, strengthen the capacity of local midwifery and support governments to create emergency transport systems for pregnant women. Together, we are building a brighter future where every mother and child has the chance to thrive,” Deputy Foreign Secretary and Minister for Development and Africa said.
He made the announcement during the 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development in New York.
The UK Government leaders and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) joined other leaders in calling for a renewed commitment towards progress on eradicating preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
Over the past two decades, significant strides have been made in improving maternal and newborn health worldwide, evidenced by a 34 percent decline in maternal mortality.
However, midway on the journey to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), progress on reducing maternal mortality – and investment in sexual and reproductive health rights – have stagnated.
Today, one woman and nearly five newborns still die every two minutes from preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications.
This demonstration of unity and global cooperation serves as a catalyst for new gains and as a vital precursor to the upcoming Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly – where clear targets and commitments to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths must be included.
