The County Department of Health and Sanitation in Turkana, in partnership with UNICEF Kenya’s Lodwar Zonal Office, has launched an ambitious plan titled the “Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality and Every Newborn Action Plan.” This initiative aims to significantly improve maternal healthcare quality across all county health facilities and reduce the high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
Current Health Landscape in Turkana
According to the 2019 Kenya Census, Turkana County’s maternal mortality ratio stands at 381 per 100,000 live births, which is higher than the national average of 355 per 100,000 live births. The neonatal mortality ratio in Turkana mirrors the national figure at 21 per 1,000 live births. These statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in the county.
Workshop Launch and Objectives
Speaking at the inauguration of a four-day workshop dedicated to this initiative, Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel, Chief Officer for Medical Services, stressed the importance of addressing controllable factors to reduce maternal and neonatal mortalities. He emphasized that enhancing Basic Emergency Obstetric Care (BEmOC) and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmOC) services, along with training lower-cadre healthcare workers, could significantly improve maternal healthcare.
One key strategy of the action plan is establishing the Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Learning Hub at Lodwar County and Referral Hospital. This hub, funded by a UNICEF Kenya grant, aims to support the implementation of MNH Quality of Care initiatives in the hospital and ten other sub-county hospitals across Turkana. The MNH Learning Hub will also focus on capacity building for healthcare workers, equipping them with critical MNH skills.
Sustainable Development Goals Alignment
The action plan aligns with the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on maternal health, which targets reducing maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100,000 live births and neonatal mortality to less than 12 per 1,000 live births. Achieving these targets will require substantial improvements in healthcare service delivery and infrastructure in Turkana County.
Enhancing Healthcare Services
Cathra Abdi, Chief Officer of Preventative and Promotive Services, highlighted the need to strengthen Lodwar County Referral Hospital and other facilities with BEmOC and CEmOC services in reproductive health. Extending reproductive health services to the community through community health promoters is also a priority, aiming to enhance healthcare accessibility and delivery at the grassroots level.
Dr. Bonventure Ameyo, Director for Preventive and Promotive Services, concluded the workshop by underscoring the action plan’s role as a unifying factor. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the health department and its partners to accelerate maternal and newborn health improvements in the county.
Importance of Advocacy and Budget Allocation
UNICEF Kenya’s Health Specialist, Dr. Nelson Lolos, stressed the importance of advocacy with county leadership to ensure more budgetary allocations for maternal and newborn health initiatives. Securing adequate funding is crucial for the successful implementation of the action plan and the sustainability of its interventions.
Partner Contributions
The action plan benefits from the support of various partners, including the International Rescue Committee, AMREF Health Africa in Kenya, Concern Worldwide, Save the Children, and USAID NAWIRI. These organizations bring valuable expertise and resources to the table, enhancing the capacity of Turkana’s healthcare system to deliver quality maternal and newborn health services.
Looking Ahead
The “Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality and Every Newborn Action Plan” represents a comprehensive approach to tackling maternal and newborn health challenges in Turkana County. By focusing on capacity building, infrastructure enhancement, and community outreach, the initiative aims to create a sustainable healthcare system that can significantly reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
The collaboration between the County Department of Health and Sanitation and UNICEF Kenya exemplifies a strategic partnership aimed at addressing critical health issues. As the plan is implemented, it is expected to make a substantial impact on the lives of mothers and newborns in Turkana, contributing to the broader goal of achieving health equity and improving overall public health outcomes in Kenya.
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