Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has unveiled plans for a nationwide campaign to deal with the country’s high levels of maternal deaths.
Addressing a statement on Saturday, Duale said that the campaign will be conducted under the banner “No Woman Should Die While Giving Life”, and will be focused on ensuring that every woman who presents themselves in a health facility for maternal care leaves healthy.
“No mother who visits any of our health centers, not as a patient but in good health and well,” Duale stressed.
The plan will address expanded access to skilled birth attendants, improved quality of care, and healthier health systems.
Funding will be allocated county by county, with the hardest-hit counties being the target of maternal deaths. Duale said more than 20 counties are already classified as high-risk.
The CS also urged pregnant women to attend early prenatal care and maintain regular check-ups throughout their pregnancies, including postpartum check-ups, to reduce risks related to complications during childbirth.
Duale’s remarks were in response to a Citizen TV report that covered cases where women died while giving birth despite being admitted to hospitals.
The deaths were mostly caused by postpartum haemorrhage, which is an occurrence where mothers bleed following childbirth.
The report also attributed under-staffed hospitals, poor blood banks, and a lack of adequate ambulance services as the key culprits behind the crisis.
“This campaign is about saving lives. We cannot accept that women are still dying from causes we can prevent,” Duale said.