Trans Nzoia First lady Lilian Natembeya has called for accountability in the coordination of reproductive maternal health, newborn, child and adolescent health.
“We are meeting young mothers for them to share their motherhood experiences and lessons learned. We are rooting for better health for them and their children through improved accountability,” she said.
“My office is committed to improving the lives of mothers and children. A lot of work needs to be done towards pre and post-natal care but said maternal health is persistently performing poorly in rural areas.”
She spoke in Maridadi, Kwanza subcounty during a meeting with young mothers.
Lilian said a lot of work needs to be done towards pre and post-natal care, saying maternal health is persistently performing poorly in rural areas.
She urged mothers to come together and register groups through which they will be empowered economically.
The First lady decried the increasing numbers of abortions especially among teenage mothers, saying they are a major contributor to maternal mortality.
She said there is a need to address teenage pregnancy and called upon parents to work together with leaders to sensitise adolescents.
Lilian donated shoes, women's handbags, reusable sanitary pads and baby dolls to the young mothers.
She assured them of frequent meetings to help accelerate improvement of their social and economic livelihoods.
“There is a need to increase the number of midwives at health centres to address complications while delivering their babies,” Lilian said.
“There is a need to ensure that every subcounty has emergency obstetric care services.”
Step 30 director Dawson Mudenyo said no African culture allowed a man to impregnate a woman if he was unable to have cattle to pay dowry.
“Boys and men seem to have disregarded the African culture and tradition and that is why we have men impregnating girls,” he said.
Binti care foundation chief executive officer Elizabeth Mumbi Mudenyo reiterated the First lady’s remarks on the issue of maternal mortality.
She said it remains a problem that needs to be tackled.
Mudenyo said teenage mothers shouldn’t feel that they are useless or unworthy after giving birth.
“Continue living dignified lives through understanding your purpose driven lives here on Earth. Love the kids you have sired,” she said.
Binti Care foundation programme manager Stanley Siakilo urged parents not to abdicate their parental responsibilities through engaging their children in talks to curb the menace of teenage pregnancies.
He called for a concerted effort to reduce the unmet need and step up use of family planning methods.
He highlighted the need to work towards integrated coordination platforms which bring together the various players to put in place interventions within a strong health system building.
