In a significant boost to maternal and child healthcare in the Maasai Mara region, Hemingways Collection, a luxury boutique hotel group, has partnered with the Maa Trust to inaugurate a state-of-the-art maternity facility. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services to the local community, particularly catering to high-risk pregnancies, including those of adolescent mothers.
The new facility, situated at the CHP Talek Health Centre, is equipped with an operating theatre for caesarean sections, a neonatal high-dependency unit, and a secure maternity shelter. These enhancements are designed to address the specific needs of high-risk mothers, ensuring that they receive the necessary medical attention and support throughout their pregnancies and deliveries.
Collaborative Effort and Financial Support
The establishment of this maternity facility is the result of a successful fundraising campaign led by the Maa Trust. The campaign garnered support from a wide array of partners, including Hemingways Collection, M-Pesa Foundation, Gertrude’s Hospital Foundation, John and Jennifer Guistina Family Fund, and the Narok County Government. Collectively, these organizations raised a substantial Sh66 million ($487,000) for the construction and equipping of the facility, marking it as the Trust’s largest infrastructure project to date.
Hemingways Collection CEO Ross Evans highlighted the group’s commitment to the project, stating that they have contributed Sh1.9 million ($14,500) so far and have pledged ongoing financial support. This funding is crucial for covering the salaries of medical staff, ensuring that the facility can maintain high standards of care for mothers and their newborns. Evans also encouraged guests at Hemingways Ol Seki to visit the Maa Trust Headquarters to witness firsthand the positive impact of their contributions on the local community.
Personal Dedication and Advanced Medical Services
Dr. Crystal Mogensen, CEO of the Maa Trust, shared her personal experiences with high-risk pregnancies, emphasizing her dedication to improving maternal healthcare in the region. “In 2021, I went into labor 10 weeks prematurely here in the Maasai Mara. It was only because of an emergency helicopter evacuation to Nairobi that my son survived. I have also just come through another high-risk pregnancy with my daughter who arrived safely, only four weeks prematurely,” Dr. Mogensen recalled.
The new facility is expected to achieve financial sustainability within two years, during which time ongoing support from partners will be essential. The centre is also equipped with the Daktari Smart telemedicine program, which facilitates remote consultations with specialists from Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital. This feature significantly reduces the need for patients to travel to Nairobi for specialized care, thereby enhancing accessibility and convenience for the local population.
Supporting Maternal Health Initiatives
In addition to the advanced medical services, the facility also promotes clinic-based deliveries through the sale of “Mama Kits” at Hemingways Ol Seki’s gift shop. These kits contain essential items for new mothers and their babies, and the proceeds support the MNCH facility. This initiative not only encourages safe deliveries but also fosters community involvement in sustaining the healthcare services provided by the centre.
The opening of the maternity facility in the Maasai Mara is a testament to the power of collaborative efforts in addressing critical healthcare needs. With the support of various partners and the commitment of organizations like Hemingways Collection and the Maa Trust, the facility is set to make a significant impact on maternal and child health in the region. By providing high-quality medical care and leveraging advanced technologies like telemedicine, the facility is poised to improve health outcomes for countless mothers and their newborns, paving the way for a healthier and more resilient community.
