The MPESA Foundation has launched Uzazi Salama, a maternal health services initiative, in partnership with Amref Health Africa and the County Government of Kilifi. The Ksh. 225 million program is set to impact about 500,000 people in Kilifi County.
The three-year program aims to improve access to maternal health services in Kilifi county. This includes setting up medical infrastructure and building the capacity of health workers to enhance service delivery. The program also aims to strengthen reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health outcomes (RMNCAH) for mothers and children.
The program was launched at Junju Dispensary in Kilifi South Constituency, where the Foundation is set to invest Ksh. 10 million towards the construction and equipping of a maternity unit.
During her address, Anne Gitimu, Family and Reproductive Health Director at Amref Health Africa in Kenya, lauded the Kilifi County government for investing in Maternal and newborn health initiatives. She further expressed her optimism towards the county’s ambition to achieve zero maternal and neonatal deaths by leveraging on partnerships, innovation, technology and data driven approaches.
Also speaking at the launch, MPESA Foundation Trustee Patricia Ithau stated, “Health is one of our key pillars at MPESA Foundation, with a major focus on maternal and child healthcare. Through Uzazi Salama, we have been able to impact the lives of over 350,000 people in Samburu and Homa Bay counties, and we hope to impact even more here in Kilifi. We seek to ensure that mothers and children receive quality healthcare, from prenatal care through the delivery room and into postnatal care.”
In Kwale County, MPESA Foundation broke ground on a Ksh. 32 million maternal newborn and child health complex at Msambweni County Referral Hospital. The newborn unit is expected to improve delivery with a range of services that will reduce infant mortality rates.