Long distances to health facilities, high costs, religious and socio-cultural beliefs and practices limit access and utilization of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services in the country.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has also identified stigma and shame surrounding sexual and gender-based violence compounded by challenges in accessing other non-health sector interventions that determine health outcomes as some of the barriers that need urgent intervention.
The situation has been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic that saw the downward trend in provision in these services, with mothers shunning visiting health facilities for fear of contracting the virus.
The situation forced the government to set up a task force to ensure the services are maintained in the country.
Speaking on Friday, Kagwe said the Covid-19 pandemic has not spared our country and as much as we tried our best we know our essential health services have been affected negatively and we may have realised a downward trend in the provision of essential services.
“The most affected area being the RMNCAH services which is the backbone of our primary health care. The task force has successfully put measures in place to ensure these services are not interrupted hence reducing morbidities and mortalities from non-Covid-19 cases.
According to the CS, the guidelines are now being used by the global community in addressing their challenges.
“I am aware that Kenya along with DRC, Ethiopia and Tanzania is among countries in the Global Financing Facility process and I appreciate the global community for putting their trust in our country.”
Latest data from the Health Ministry shows that one in every 37 pregnant women in Kenya will die due to complications while giving birth.
This means that 362 women out of 100,000 women die while giving birth.
Thus, the ministry launched a country platform to advocate for reproductive and maternal health services in Kenya whose key role will be to collaborate, coordinate and ensure there is intersectional alignment when it comes to resource investment in reproductive health in Kenya.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
