By Dorothy Musyoka
The Government has announced a series of targeted interventions aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen quality of healthcare and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking during the 4th Graduation Ceremony of the Training Institute of Specialised Nursing at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the measures are designed to ensure that every mother and newborn receives timely, safe and dignified care across all levels of the health system.
The CS highlighted key actions currently underway, including the launch of a national Reproductive-Age Mortality Survey (RAMOS) to accurately determine the extent and causes of deaths among women of reproductive age.
He further announced the digitisation and strengthened use of the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system, which will be enforced nationwide to enhance accountability and guide targeted interventions.
Other measures outlined include raising clinical standards in maternity and newborn units, ensuring functional triage and referral systems, guaranteeing oxygen and blood availability, maintaining 24-hour theatre readiness, strengthening neonatal resuscitation capacity, and ensuring respectful maternity care is upheld as a professional norm.
“These measures align resources and skills with real-time data to make our interventions timely, targeted and life-saving,” Hon. Duale said.
“Safety must be a system property, not a slogan,” he added..”
Hon. Duale noted that the reforms are part of the Kenya Kwanza Administration’s UHC agenda, which focuses on sustainable healthcare financing through the Social Health Authority (SHA), improved commodity security and local manufacturing, digitisation of healthcare systems.
The ceremony marked a landmark moment for the nursing profession, with 77 nurses graduating in Critical Care, Oncology, Perioperative and Nephrology Nursing the largest cohort since the institute’s inception.
The CS applauded the graduates for their commitment to advanced training and encouraged them to uphold professionalism, compassion and continuous learning as they join healthcare teams across the country.