Dr Kioko warned all hospitals including private ones to cease from under-reporting maternal deaths now that a consolidated reporting mechanism had been established. “We need to have effective referrals in our public health facilities and embrace best practices in a bid to save lives of our women. Supervision should also be effective as quality of care is prioritized,” he said.
UNFPA country representative, Dr Ademola Olajide described as “bold” President Kenyatta’s decision to embrace UHC saying the move should be action- driven by evidence. “No mother in Africa should die while giving birth,” he said. Dr. Olajide said there was need to reduce by 50 per cent maternal deaths in Kenya.
“Although inequities persist, there is need to scale up efforts within the UN system to work together to achieve the bold agenda set by the President by translating policy to action,” Dr Olajide added. The DFID representative, Ms Milka Choge assured that her organisation will continue to support Kenya in improving the outcomes of maternal and child health.
“In the last five years, DFID has disbursed £60 million funding to support MCH as well as £36 million to enable women access Family planning in 41 counties in Kenya”, said Choge. She also confirmed that DFID had distributed 11 million Insecticide Treated Bed nets (ITNs) to reduce mortality among pregnant women and children. “We are also supporting Kenya in ending early child marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM) which are also impediments to maternal health,” said the representative.
“As DFID, we shall also continue to support President Kenyatta’s Government on UHC,” Choge added. The USAID representative, Dr. Sheila Macharia said there was need to end the maternal and child deaths through the provision of equity, quality of care and timely services to those in need.
“I would like to reaffirm that our partnership with the government of Kenya through the Ministry of Health will continue. “USAID has been disbursing $200 million annually to support the fight against HIV/Aids, malaria as well as provision of medical equipment technical assistance,” Dr. Macharia added.
