Let’s tame maternal mortality

Kenya is one of the most developed economies in East and Central Africa and has demonstrated leadership in overcoming some major human development challenges that face Sub-Saharan Africa. As we race towards the Millennium Development Goals, the country is set to meet many of the development targets by 2015.

On the issue of maternal and child health in Kenya however, there is much work to be done. The Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia highlighted the challenge and said that, “unfortunately each day 15 women and 290 children die as a result of pregnancy complications--including giving birth, HIV and several curable and preventable childhood diseases”.

According to the Ministry of Devolution, 43.8 per cent of births in Kenya were attended to by trained health personnel as of 2011 against a 2015 target of 90 per cent. Only 43 per cent of deliveries take place in health facilities. Contraceptive prevalence rate is at 46 per cent up from 39 per cent in 2000 against a 2015 target of 70 per cent.

“Universal access to sexual and reproductive health services including family planning and maternal health is a human right at the core of sustainable development.” This was a key message that emerged from the  April 24th meeting that brought together the wives of governors of the 47 counties. “Women and girls must be at the heart of any future development policies. This is key to saving lives, advancing economic development, promoting environmental sustainability and advancing well-being, equity and social justice”.

Aids contributes to almost 15 per cent of deaths in children and 20 per cent of all maternal deaths. Estimates show that13,000 new HIV infections among children were recorded in 2012. In the same year, over 100,000 children died before their fifth birthday. The increasing rate of HIV infections among women aged between 15 and 24 is equally startling, with an estimated 25,000 cases per year.

Advancing the maternal and child health agenda in Kenya requires collective action from the international community, local organisations and communities.

Together we must ensure that mothers survive childbirth and ensure children have a healthy start to life. Delivering on this agenda is within our reach --’no woman should die giving life’.