President Ruto to open Mother and Child Hospital at Iten County Referral Hospital

President William Ruto will on Sunday afternoon inaugurate the Mother and Child Hospital at Iten County Referral Hospital in Elgeyo Marakwet.

Also expected to grace the event is Health CS Susan Nakhumicha and Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich among other dignitaries.

Nakhumicha on Sunday morning planted a symbolic tree at the Mother and Child Unit ahead of its official inauguration by the President.

The ministry of Health said the opening of the hospital is a significant step towards enhancing maternal and child health in the country even as the country strives to attain Universal Health Coverage.

“Landmark achievement in the Health Sector! Inauguration of the Mother and Child Hospital at Iten County Referral Hospital by the President on Sunday. A significant step towards enhancing maternal and child healthcare,” the ministry said.

According to the 2023 Goalkeepers Report, since 2016, progress in reducing global maternal mortality has stalled, and in some countries, death rates have risen steadily.

Kenya’s maternal mortality was estimated at 530 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. This translates to about 6,500 women dying every year.

The recently published Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022 shows the infant mortality (under one year) rate was 32 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the neonatal mortality (in the first 28 days) rate was 21 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Neonatal deaths account for 66 per cent of infant deaths.

In their essays published in the report, Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates call for immediate action to help the world achieve the global goal of cutting the maternal mortality rate to less than 70 out of 100,000 births and newborn mortality to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.