Kenya is seeking to strengthen its partnership with Jhpiego as the government steps up efforts to reduce gaps in maternal and newborn healthcare.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale held talks with Jhpiego President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Allyson Bear and her delegation to discuss ways of expanding collaboration under the government’s Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere (EWENE) agenda.
The discussions focused on areas that continue to affect maternal and newborn health, including maternal haemorrhage, healthcare workers’ skills and access to the right medical technologies.
Duale called for better coordination between the government and development partners to ensure resources are directed to areas with the greatest need.
He also reaffirmed the government’s One Plan, One Budget and One Accountability approach, which seeks to reduce duplication in health programmes and ensure partners work within national priorities.
Under the planned collaboration, Jhpiego’s reproductive, maternal and newborn health programmes will be aligned with the EWENE agenda, starting with 18 priority counties identified by the government.
Jhpiego is also expected to support newborn care in five counties. The Ministry of Health will guide the selection of the counties and health facilities that require the most support.
The maternal and newborn health programmes will also be connected to existing HIV and family-planning services. The aim is to ensure women continue receiving care from pregnancy through childbirth and after delivery.
Focus on health workers
Training and mentorship of healthcare workers will be another key part of the partnership.
Health workers will receive mentorship, virtual learning and targeted training under Kenya’s national mentorship guidelines.
The government hopes the approach will improve the skills of healthcare workers and, in turn, the quality of maternal and newborn services offered in health facilities.
Technology will also play a role in the partnership.
The Ministry is developing a health-sector command centre dashboard that will bring together key health indicators and allow officials to track performance and identify gaps.
The dashboard will encompass maternal and newborn care, HIV, tuberculosis, and other priority health programs.
According to the Ministry, the system will assist health officials in making decisions by using information in real time and responding promptly in case there are any challenges.
Jhpiego’s contribution to Kenya
Jhpiego has been working with the health sector of Kenya for 48 years. The organisation has supported various programs related to family planning, reproductive health, malaria, HIV, and maternal and newborn care.
Over the last two years, the organisation has committed approximately KSh5.2 billion to 13 projects in 22 counties and more than 1,800 health facilities.
The latest talks also looked at how commitments made during the Global Maternal Health Conference can be turned into practical programmes in Kenya.
As the government works on sustainable ways of financing and delivering healthcare, Duale said partnerships would remain important in strengthening the country’s health system.
He stressed that support from development partners should complement government efforts, strengthen existing systems and lead to measurable improvements in healthcare.
The Ministry of Health and Jhpiego said they would continue working together to address gaps in maternal and newborn care and improve the chances of survival for women and newborns across the country.