The Ministry of Health has reiterated its strong dedication to improving child health across Kenya. During the opening of the Kenya Paediatric Association (KPA) Annual Scientific Conference in Mombasa, the Director General for Health emphasized the importance of partnerships, innovation, and increased investment in maternal and child health services.
Themed “Shaping the Future: Collaborative Approaches to Child Health and Development,” the conference set the stage for critical dialogue on the pressing challenges and opportunities in the child health sector. It was highlighted that despite notable progress, Kenya still faces unacceptably high mortality rates. Currently, neonatal mortality stands at 21 per 1,000 live births, infant mortality at 32 per 1,000, and under-five mortality at 41 per 1,000. Maternal mortality also remains significantly high at 355 per 100,000 live births.
These statistics were presented not merely as data points but as a reflection of lives at risk. The call to action was clear: Kenya must renew and intensify its commitment to ensuring that no mother or child is left behind. Strengthening health systems, increasing access to essential services, and addressing the root causes of child mortality such as malnutrition, malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea were outlined as top priorities.
Key interventions being championed include scaling up preventive care, guaranteeing skilled attendance during childbirth, and improving the availability of life-saving medical resources. The Director General commended the strides made under the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) initiative. This program, spearheaded by the Ministry, aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3 and aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality through comprehensive health strategies.
The challenge of global funding constraints was acknowledged, with a call for enhanced collaboration among development partners, the private sector, and local communities. The message was clear: child health is not solely the responsibility of the health sector but a shared national concern. A multisectoral approach that includes education, nutrition, sanitation, and social protection is essential to truly transform outcomes for Kenya’s children.
One of the central pillars of the Ministry’s agenda is the ongoing rollout of Social Health Insurance (SHI). This reform is designed to eliminate financial barriers to accessing healthcare and promote equitable service delivery, especially for the most vulnerable populations. The introduction of SHI represents a fundamental shift in healthcare financing, aiming to center people particularly children and mothers in the delivery of health services.
The health sector workforce was urged to embrace renewed energy, creativity, and commitment to accelerate improvements in newborn and maternal outcomes. Healthcare professionals, especially those in pediatrics, were recognized as key agents of change in driving forward the child health agenda.
The Kenya Paediatric Association was acknowledged for its critical role in shaping policies, advancing research, and supporting the implementation of strategies that safeguard children’s health and development. The conference served not only as a platform for sharing knowledge but also as a call to collective action.
As the discussions continue, the Ministry of Health reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to working hand in hand with all stakeholders public and private to ensure every child in Kenya is given the opportunity to thrive from the very beginning of life.
