Reducing free maternal health care budget big blow to women

A pregnant woman. [iStockphoto]

The reduction of funding for free maternity services in the National Budget for the 2024/25 Financial Year is raising questions on whether the government is truly committed to the health programme that is designed to eliminate financial barriers to accessing skilled maternity health care, particularly for vulnerable women.

The funding for the free maternal health programme has been reduced by half, from Sh4 billion to Sh2 billion in the national budget estimates for the next financial year which starts on July 1, 2024. As a result, vulnerable women may face unforeseen financial challenges that could result in more unsafe births.