Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Wafula has promised to improve child survival outcomes in line with Universal Healthcare Coverage.
The CS launched the Comprehensive Newborn Care Protocol and revised guidelines on the application of Chlorhexidine Digluconate 7.1 per cent on the newborn umbilical cord.
This is meant to demonstrate the ministry’s commitment to the survival and health of newborns.
In Kenya, the preterm birth rate is at 12 per cent translating to 193,000 babies being born prematurely every year while about 13,300 children under five die due to direct preterm complications.
During celebrations to mark World Prematurity Day on Thursday, Wafula said the Ministry of Health has developed a host of interventions.
The Health CS spoke at the Pumwani Maternity hospital.
She said high-impact interventions have contributed a lot to the prevention of the same.
