About Me

Kericho, Rift Valley, Kenya
A health professional who totally loves adventure of any kind and is this rather average dude who tends to be a bit cautious around new surroundings

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

AFYA YA MAMA NA MTOTO PROJECT KAKAMEGA COUNTY

I have been keenly following H.E The Governor of Kakamega County Dr. Oparanya's maternal safety programme which was launched a fortnight ago. It seems to me like this programme was initially launched some time in June last year 2013 at Bukaya Health Center in Mumias District. My main interest came in to this initiative when I learned of it early this year and I tried to look at the details of the programme. 
Firstly, this is Community Based Maternal and Newborn Health and Nutrition project, supported by the Micronutrient Initiative with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in partnership with the ministry of health. The project is  in collaboration with the United Nations International Children Education Fund (Unicef) as a five-year programme. 
Oparanya revealed that official statistics indicate Kakamega contributes to a high burden of child deprivation with a high percentage of under five mortality owing to its high poverty level. Marcel said statistics show over half of the mortality cases involve pre-birth and infancy periods as a result of ignorance, among mothers.
He added that only a small number of mothers visit antenatal clinics, have little access to contraceptives and there is lack of adequate trained personnel in health facilities. The county’s high rate of maternal deaths has remained unchanged for a lengthy period because most women prefer delivering at home under the care of unskilled traditional midwives, partly attributing it to inability to afford the cost of hospital visits.
Scattered health facilities in remote areas and poor road networks make access difficult hence contributing to the high mortality rate. The programme is hinged on setting an excellent foundation for the first 1,000 days of infancy and maternal nutritional value for five years. This is geared towards rehabilitating and maintaining maternal health medical facilities in rural areas.
Unicef, through the programme, seeks to ensure funds are channelled directly to health facilities and employing own staff and keeping them motivated. A report on Maternal Newborns and Child Health in the Countdown to 2015 shows that poor care of children at tender age leads to retarded growth with low brain capacity.
“Most of our children are academic dwarfs and we no longer produce best soccer players due to this challenge yet it is something the government can afford to reduce if you ask me,” said Oparanya. The Unicef officials proposed for sensitisation of the womenfolk in villages on the importance of attending ante-natal clinic, and educate men on their responsibilities in ensuring wives are well taken care of for a safe delivery.
the Community Based Maternal and Newborn Health and Nutrition project, supported by the Micronutrient Initiative with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in partnership with the ministry of health. - See more at: http://www.kakamega.go.ke/index.php/government/excecutive/governor/9-governor-s-speech-on-the-launch-of-linda-afya-ya-mama-na-mtoto#sthash.Z3ymWy7W.dpuf
the Community Based Maternal and Newborn Health and Nutrition project, supported by the Micronutrient Initiative with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in partnership with the ministry of health. - See more at: http://www.kakamega.go.ke/index.php/government/excecutive/governor/9-governor-s-speech-on-the-launch-of-linda-afya-ya-mama-na-mtoto#sthash.Z3ymWy7W.dpuf
the Community Based Maternal and Newborn Health and Nutrition project, supported by the Micronutrient Initiative with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in partnership with the ministry of health. - See more at: http://www.kakamega.go.ke/index.php/government/excecutive/governor/9-governor-s-speech-on-the-launch-of-linda-afya-ya-mama-na-mtoto#sthash.Z3ymWy7W.dpuf

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