AFIDEP Reveals Critical Insights into Kenya’s Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Landscape

In an ambitious endeavor to realign Kenya’s healthcare system with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) focused on promoting health and well-being for all the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) has recently unveiled findings from its transformative “Putting Countries Back on the Path to Sustainable Development Goals” (Back-on-Track) initiative. The project, funded by the UK-based Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), underscores AFIDEP’s dedication to enhancing maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) across Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. This three-year project uses data-driven methods to track progress, identify challenges, and recommend targeted actions to improve health outcomes for mothers and children.

The event, held at Nairobi’s Park Inn by Radisson Hotel and themed “State of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Progress in Kenya,” drew public health experts, policymakers, and development stakeholders together to discuss Kenya’s MNCH landscape. Spearheaded by AFIDEP and led by project director Dr. Michael Chipeta, the Back-on-Track initiative advocates for innovative health solutions to address Kenya’s most pressing challenges in MNCH.

Mapping the Landscape of Maternal and Child Health

AFIDEP’s Back-on-Track project leverages diverse datasets including Health Management Information Systems (HMIS), Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), and Geographic Information System (GIS) datato paint a comprehensive picture of Kenya’s MNCH landscape. The evaluation highlights a range of indicators crucial to understanding Kenya’s progress, such as child immunization rates, antenatal care (ANC) access, skilled birth attendance, and contraceptive use among women, including sexually active adolescents and young adults. This evidence-based approach provides valuable insights into areas of achievement and identifies critical gaps that require immediate action.

Dr. Chipeta described the project as a “data-driven roadmap” designed to revolutionize healthcare services across Kenya. “By prioritizing availability, accessibility, quality, and utilization of MNCH services, we aim to address critical challenges in Kenya and drive meaningful progress toward achieving SDG 3,” he explained. The findings serve as a wake-up call for healthcare stakeholders to direct resources and efforts toward the most vulnerable regions to ensure that all Kenyan mothers, newborns, and children can access quality healthcare.

COVID-19’s Impact on Maternal and Child Health Services

AFIDEP’s findings reveal the profound and lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kenya’s MNCH services. While national immunization coverage remained robust, the pandemic disrupted access to essential services in several counties, causing an eight-county decline in antenatal care visits and reductions in skilled birth attendance. These disparities underscore the need for more resilient health systems that can withstand future crises and maintain essential services, even during emergencies.

COVID-19 exacerbated existing health inequalities, particularly in underserved rural areas where healthcare access was already limited. Dr. Edward Serem, Head of the Division of Reproductive and Maternal Health at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, acknowledged the importance of this data in guiding Kenya’s healthcare policy. “The Back-on-Track project aligns closely with Kenya’s health priorities and provides us with clear evidence on where our focus needs to be particularly in areas like maternal mortality, child vaccination coverage, and reproductive health services,” Dr. Serem stated.

Achievements and Areas Needing Improvement

AFIDEP’s report indicates that Kenya has made significant progress in neonatal and under-five mortality reduction, skilled birth attendance, and fulfilling family planning needs through modern contraceptive methods. In fact, by 2022, contraceptive demand satisfaction had increased to nearly 75%, with several counties surpassing the national average. However, substantial work remains to meet SDG 3 targets fully.

Maternal mortality reduction, basic vaccination coverage, and antenatal care access continue to pose challenges. Despite steady improvements, these areas lag behind desired outcomes, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to healthcare delivery that can bridge the gaps in access, especially in Kenya’s rural and marginalized communities. Dr. Serem emphasized the importance of accurate data collection as a cornerstone of effective healthcare interventions. “Effective health interventions are built on accurate, timely data that reflects realities on the ground. This evidence strengthens our ability to enact impactful, life-saving policies,” he affirmed.

Disparities in Maternal and Child Health Access

Kenya’s maternal and child health access shows substantial variation across regions. Rural areas and marginalized communities face significant healthcare disparities, especially in maternal mortality, basic vaccination, and ANC service accessibility. These challenges stem from multiple factors, including infrastructural limitations, healthcare workforce shortages, and resource distribution imbalances. AFIDEP’s findings call for targeted strategies to close these healthcare gaps, ensuring every mother and child in Kenya has access to life-saving services.

The insights also point to the need for a robust healthcare infrastructure that can support consistent data collection, management, and analysis. Dr. Chipeta highlighted the significance of systemic improvements in healthcare data systems to provide policymakers with up-to-date and actionable information. By enhancing data infrastructure, Kenya’s health sector can respond more swiftly to emerging issues and make informed decisions that directly impact maternal and child health outcomes.

The Role of Funding in Kenya’s Health Sector

While the Kenyan government has made notable investments in MNCH, funding shortfalls continue to hamper the country’s health sector. Current healthcare funding stands at 9% of the national budget falling short of the 15% target set by the Abuja Declaration. This shortfall affects the quality and reach of healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

AFIDEP’s findings emphasize that increased investment in MNCH is essential for Kenya to reach its SDG 3 targets. Dr. Chipeta advocated for greater financial support for the health sector, noting that a well-funded healthcare system can significantly improve service quality and availability. “The Back-on-Track project reinforces our commitment to bridging research, policy, and practice. With the insights gained from this initiative, we aim to empower public institutions to implement evidence-driven policies that foster sustainable improvements in maternal, newborn, and child health,” Dr. Chipeta said.

Additionally, the report underscores the importance of digital tools and technology in healthcare data management and service delivery. With improved data systems, healthcare providers can ensure timely and accurate data collection, enabling the government to assess progress more effectively and address gaps in service provision.

Addressing Reproductive Health Disparities

AFIDEP’s research highlights that despite progress in modern contraceptive usage and family planning demand satisfaction, disparities persist, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Reproductive health services are critical for promoting the well-being of women and reducing maternal and child mortality rates. Access to contraception and family planning resources empowers women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, leading to healthier pregnancies and improved maternal health outcomes.

However, Kenya still faces significant challenges in providing equitable reproductive health services. The AFIDEP report emphasizes that targeted interventions are essential to ensure women in all regions, particularly rural and marginalized communities, have access to comprehensive reproductive health services. Addressing these disparities can pave the way for broader health improvements and bring Kenya closer to its SDG 3 targets.

Conclusion: A Path Forward for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health in Kenya

AFIDEP’s Back-on-Track initiative offers Kenya a data-driven blueprint for achieving SDG 3, underscoring the importance of evidence-based policies and targeted interventions in maternal, newborn, and child health. The project’s findings highlight a blend of successes and areas requiring urgent attention, from improving maternal mortality rates to ensuring equitable access to reproductive health services.

Moving forward, Kenya must focus on closing healthcare disparities, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Increased healthcare funding, coupled with improvements in data infrastructure and healthcare systems, will play a pivotal role in supporting sustainable progress in MNCH. As Kenya approaches 2030, achieving SDG 3 remains a pressing priority, and AFIDEP’s Back-on-Track project provides a clear and actionable path toward creating a healthier, more equitable future for Kenyan mothers, newborns, and children.