Governor Fernandes Barasa said they were committed to ensuring that they work together with the coalition partners including Think Well, Think Place, and Rescue.Co, Harvard and Hopkins universities, Ipsos Synovate, KEMRI and Build X Studio to meet the rising mothers’ demands for quality health systems for them and their babies
By Andanje Wakhungu
www.theweeklyvisionews.net
Kakamega County has received a total of Ksh.223 Million towards upscaling its maternal and child health facilities and services. Governor Fernandes Barasa while launching the service dubbed Tutunze Kakamega, a cross-sectoral strategy meant to rejuvenate the quality of maternal and newborn care within Malava level 4 hospital said the move was a huge milestone in achieving part of his big 6 Agenda, as health was key to all the citizens in line with the universal health coverage (UHC) sustainable development goals.
Governor Barasa later opened a new 12-bed capacity ward and theatre at the sub-county.“Our partners have found it necessary to salvage our county from the 15 rated counties with high maternal health complications within Kenya and as a County, we have allocated Ksh.21.6 Million from part of the funds given to us to Malava sub-county hospital to upgrade its maternity and newborn wing to be able to accommodate 38 pregnant mothers from the initial 19 as well as added 8 baby cots and 4 incubators.
This is part of our first phase launch taking place also in Lugari and Butere that includes 64 facilities targeted for its infrastructural improvements with other sub counties including Navakholo, Mumias West, and Shinyalu slated to benefit in the next financial year”.
Another phase will include 75 facilities across Ikolomani, Khwisero, Lurambi, Matungu and Mumias East respectively. The governor added that they were committed to improving health and hence will empower the community health volunteers to be able to assist pregnant mothers within the village level access the services.
“We are going to increase their stipend starting next year from Ksh200 to 2500 and enroll them on NHIF services so that they can be well up and running in assisting those in need at the ward level” The county boss said they were committed to ensuring that they work together with the coalition partners including Think Well, Think Place, and Rescue.Co, Harvard and Hopkins universities, Ipsos Synovate, KEMRI and Build X Studio to meet the rising mothers’ demands for quality health systems for them and their babies.
Jacaranda Health country director Cynthia Kahumbura hailed the move by the county to adhere to the approach to service delivery redesign approach stating that it will be a success story that will upscale and improve both maternal and neonatal health care besides improving the health system efficiency across the country. She termed the collaboration as commendable and one of its kind that will salvage pregnant mothers from the agony that comes with delivering since they were offering the best and quality services to all.
“We have come to partner with our counties to bring hope and joy in delivering and stamp out the fear that comes with it by ensuring there is needed facilities and services that will see both the mother and child survive safely, since maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity has continued to stagnate in low and middle income generating countries around the world due to in effective manage delivery complications and sick newborns”
She called on the mothers to embrace the Jacaranda digital health platform SMS based information where once registered mothers can receive prompts within public health facilities. ‘We are involving community health volunteers within the county to enrol all the expectant mothers on this service and strengthen community links. After extending the maternity wing at Malava hospital, we are also collaborating with the county to renovate Lumakanda hospital in Lugari, sub-county and construct a new hospital in Butere Sub County to cater for quality care” The director noted that the investment will reduce both maternal and neonatal death from 316/100,000 and 19/1000 live births to meet its target (SDG) of 70/100,000 and 12/1000 in five years
