Mrs. Tessie Mudavadi, wife of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, recently donated eight incubators to medical facilities in four counties: Kilifi, Lamu, Tana River, and Garissa. The donation, which was made during the World Prematurity Day celebrations at Malindi Sub County Hospital, is part of her infant pre-term aid initiative, Okoa Malaika. The initiative seeks to improve the survival rates of premature infants, who often face life-threatening challenges due to the lack of appropriate medical care.
Mrs. Mudavadi, who has been an advocate for maternal and child health, emphasized the critical importance of providing neonatal equipment to hospitals in under-resourced areas. “We are taking a crucial step towards ensuring that pre-term infants receive care and stability,” she remarked, highlighting the crucial role incubators play in the early days of a pre-term infant’s life.
The incubators were handed over to senior county officials, including Lamu Governor Issa Timamy and Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa Chibule, who were present to receive the donation. Mrs. Mudavadi was joined by partners from the Okoa Malaika program, including the Mudavadi Memorial Foundation and Ushiriki Wema, both of which have been instrumental in supporting the initiative across Kenya.
Okoa Malaika has made significant strides in improving neonatal care across the country. The program, which operates under the office of the Spouse to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, has distributed neonatal equipment to 20 counties so far. Mrs. Mudavadi expressed her hope that this donation would help alleviate some of the challenges that families face in accessing specialized care for premature infants, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The neonatal mortality rate in Kenya remains a significant concern, with current statistics showing 22 deaths per 1,000 live births. Many of these deaths are attributed to pre-term births, which account for a substantial percentage of neonatal mortality in the country. Mrs. Mudavadi noted that access to neonatal care remains a challenge due to limited healthcare facilities, geographical barriers, and resource constraints. However, the donation of incubators to the four counties, though modest, represents a positive step towards ensuring that more pre-term infants can receive the critical care they need.
In addition to her focus on neonatal health, Mrs. Mudavadi also spoke about the importance of the newly established health insurance programme under the Social Health Authority (SHA). This initiative aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all Kenyans, providing a safety net for families who may otherwise be unable to afford necessary medical treatment. Mrs. Mudavadi encouraged Kenyans to support this initiative, urging everyone to play their part in ensuring its success. “As a nation, we are transitioning into a new health insurance platform; my humble request is that everyone plays their part and gives it all the support it requires for its intended impact to be realized,” she said.
The challenges of pre-term births are not lost on local leaders. Lamu Governor Issa Timamy echoed Mrs. Mudavadi’s sentiments, recognizing the significant barriers in rolling out SHA services but calling for patience and continued support from Kenyans. “All of us in the health sector have a duty to educate wananchi. All health departments in our counties should organize themselves and ensure that SHA is successful,” he said.
Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule also took the opportunity to stress the urgency of addressing preterm births, noting that the county faces a high number of premature births each year. In Kilifi, an estimated 1,600 babies are born prematurely annually, which accounts for 4% of all live births in the region. Deputy Governor Chibule emphasized the long-term challenges faced by premature infants, including disabilities such as learning disabilities and visual or hearing impairments. “Preterm infants are often forgotten and need special care,” she said, adding that the donation of incubators would go a long way in providing these infants with a chance at survival.
The Okoa Malaika programme’s efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need to address neonatal health issues in Kenya. With continued support from the government, healthcare providers, and organizations like the Mudavadi Memorial Foundation, more premature infants will have the chance to survive and thrive.
