NAIROBI, Kenya — The government plans to establish 10 comprehensive maternal and newborn health facilities in high-burden counties as part of efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths and expand access to specialised care.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the facilities will be developed under the Mama na Mtoto Kwanza initiative in partnership with Amsons Group, at a cost of Sh4.4 billion.
The announcement followed bilateral discussions between the Ministry of Health and governors and their representatives on strengthening interventions targeting maternal and newborn mortality.
The meeting was led by Council of Governors Health Committee Chairperson and Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir and hosted by Duale.
The planned investment is aligned with President William Ruto’s directive to accelerate interventions aimed at safeguarding mothers and newborns and complements the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) programme and the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
Facilities to offer specialised maternity care
According to Duale, the 10 facilities will provide integrated maternal and newborn services, bringing specialised care closer to communities in counties with high maternal and newborn health burdens.
The facilities will include services such as antenatal and postnatal care, obstetric services, operating theatres, Caesarean sections, neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and intensive care for mothers and newborns.
They will be established across Nairobi, Bomet, Kwale, Mombasa, Garissa, Kisumu, Embu, Nakuru and Uasin Gishu.
The government said the facilities are intended to strengthen referral and emergency care while improving access to timely and specialised services for mothers and newborns.
More health workers planned
The infrastructure investment will be accompanied by efforts to strengthen the health workforce.
Duale said 900 healthcare workers will be trained in obstetric care, while another 900 will receive training in comprehensive newborn care.
The government is also planning to recruit 5,000 nurses and midwives to strengthen staffing in health facilities.
In addition, Sh4 billion is being channelled through the Social Health Authority (SHA) to support maternal deliveries at Level 2 and Level 3 health facilities.
The government says the measures are intended to address both infrastructure and human-resource gaps that continue to affect access to maternal and newborn services.
Groundbreaking targeted for September
Duale said groundbreaking for the new facilities is targeted for September, with the Ministry and county governments expected to fast-track preparations to ensure implementation begins as planned.
He said the discussions with governors focused on strengthening coordination between the national and county governments and ensuring that the planned investments translate into timely, quality and specialised care.
The initiative brings together several stakeholders as the government seeks to accelerate progress towards reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
The meeting was attended by Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Bomet Deputy Governor Shadrack Rotich and West Pokot Deputy Governor Achaule Robert, among other county and national government officials.
Other participants included Kisumu County Executive Committee Member Dr Gregory Ganda, Ministry of Health Director for Family Health Dr Bashir Issak, Presidential Advisor on Health Wilson Aruasa and Head of Infrastructure, Projects and Grants Management Dr Hezron Omolo.
