Health CS Aden Duale speaking at the graduation ceremony
in Garissa Town. /STEPHEN ASTARIKOHealth Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has raised concern over persistently high maternal and infant mortality rates in at least 20 counties, most of them in pastoralist regions, as the government rolls out fresh interventions to save the lives of mothers and newborns.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony in Garissa town, Duale said the national government was particularly worried by the number of women and infants dying despite seeking care in health facilities.
"The national government remains deeply concerned about the high maternal and infant mortality rates in some counties, especially those inhabited by pastoralist communities. It is in these counties where we continue to lose a significant number of mothers and newborns, even after they have sought skilled care in health facilities," he said.
Duale said the government had partnered with county administrations to tackle the challenge and ensure expectant mothers receive quality care before, during and after delivery.
He stressed that maternity wards should be places of hope rather than tragedy.
"When a mother goes to a health facility, she is not going there as a sick patient. She is only going there to welcome a bundle of joy. Therefore, she should leave that facility healthy and with her newborn child. It should never be that she comes out dead. Labour rooms should not become death traps for our expectant mothers," he said.
His remarks come days after President William Ruto presided over the distribution of medical equipment and vehicles to county governments at State House to strengthen maternal healthcare services.
According to Duale, the equipment will help hospitals and health centres improve maternal healthcare and reduce deaths among expectant mothers.
The CS identified inadequate blood supplies as one of the leading causes of maternal deaths, saying the government had invested heavily in blood banks in counties recording high mortality rates.
"We are all aware that many of the deaths among expectant mothers have been caused by a lack of blood. As a national government, we have invested in blood banks in counties where maternal mortality remains a major challenge," he said.
To further boost maternal and child healthcare services, Duale announced that the government had recruited highly qualified gynecologists and pediatricians who will be deployed to affected counties before the end of the month.
He warned that the specialists would be required to remain at their assigned stations and serve local communities.
The CS also revealed that the national government has set aside Sh4 billion to support primary healthcare facilities, including health centres and dispensaries, in a bid to encourage more women to deliver in health facilities instead of at home.
Health CS Aden Duale at the graduation ceremony in
Garissa town./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Students of Al-Manar Islamic School./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Students at Al-Manar Islamic School.STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Some of the graduands./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Health CS Aden Duale speaking at the graduation ceremony
in Garissa town. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
