Kenya has strengthened efforts to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths following the signing of a Cooperation Framework between the Ministry of Health and the Beginnings Fund, unlocking an investment of USD 80 million (approximately KSh10.4 billion) over the next five years.
The partnership will facilitate implementation of Kenya’s Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan and outline the country’s 90-90-80-80 maternal and newborn health goals. The programme will address 21 high burden counties and nearly 200 high volume health facilities, with results expected to benefit approximately six million women and newborns by 2030.
Backed by the Beginnings Fund, the Gates Foundation, the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other international donors, the project aims to improve maternal and newborn health by decreasing avoidable maternal and neonatal mortality and improving the health system in Kenya.
The program builds on the Government Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), initiated by President William Ruto under the Taifa Care program. The program intends to support leadership, quality improvement innovation sustainable financing and accountability to gains in reducing maternal mortality, newborn death and stillbirth.
Strategic investments will enable access to lifesaving medicines, for vital health commodities & technologies, upgraded maternity & newborn capabilities, scaling up of health work force, strengthening emergency referral pathways, fast, tracking digital health innovations, and boosting health information systems.
The interventions will further advance Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda while aligning development partner investments with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale said the Ministry is championing a country-led approach to health sector transformation, noting that development partnerships must shift from fragmented projects to coordinated investments that strengthen government systems and deliver sustainable health outcomes. He emphasized that successful implementation will depend on close collaboration between the National Government, county governments and development partners.
The CS praised the Beginnings Fund for its integration into the national health priorities for Kenya and called for a holistic approach thatopportunities from the Beginnings Fund as we work toward shared goals in working as oneplan, one budget, one accountability frame.
“The signing of the Cooperation Framework represents a significant step towards ensuring every woman has access to safe, quality maternity care and every newborn is given the best possible chance to survive and thrive.” Duale stated