USAID
will fund a $66 million health initiative dubbed
Afya Halisi project
in
four counties,
the organisation’s deputy chief for Health Population and Nutrition John Bernon said on Tuesday.
Speaking at Zombe in Kitui East during the launch by Governor Charity Ngilu, Bernon said Kitui, KaKamenga, Kisumu and Migori would benefit, having been identified as among those with the highest health needs. The project, he said, would enhance reduction of preventable maternal, new-born and child deaths by strengthening the capacity of health systems.
It will be implemented by Jhpiego, an international health organisation dedicated to improving the health of women and families, in partnership with Save the Children and Population Services Kenya. It will run for five years. “Simply put, USAID’s Afya Halisi project will help women, men, girls, and boys to live healthier and have more productive lives. We want women have healthy pregnancies and give birth safely,” Bernon said. Ngilu said the programme was “key in the realisation of my health agenda for the Kitui people”.
