Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called on expectant women to begin prenatal care early to help prevent and manage severe pregnancy-related complications.
In a statement responding to a report by Citizen TV, about a mother who died after giving birth as a result of poor healthcare, Duale stressed that no mother should lose her life while giving birth.
“No mother who visits any of our health care centers not as a patient but healthy and happy should die,” he said.
The CS announced that his ministry will, in the next few weeks, rollout out a programme dubbed “No Woman Should Die While Giving Life.”
He said the initiative will focus on expanding access to skilled birth attendants, improving healthcare quality and strengthening health systems across the country.
Duale said the ministry is also working on improving healthcare financing and using data to plan for county-specific interventions, even as he noted that at least 20 counties have already been identified to have high maternal death rates.
“Over 20 counties are on the radar on high maternal mortality rates. We are already acting as a ministry,” he noted.
He urged women to start prenatal care early, seek medical attention throughout pregnancy, and attend postpartum visits.
According to Duale, these steps are crucial in reducing maternal deaths and ensuring safer deliveries.
The CS added that the government is committed to deliberate actions that will secure the lives of mothers and babies.
“We shall be improving healthcare financing and using data to plan for county-specific needs,” he said.
The announcement comes as Kenya continues to grapple with high maternal mortality rates, which remain high in Africa.
Duale reiterated that the government will continue working to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for women.
“We urge our women to start prenatal care early, see a health care provider throughout the pregnancy, and attend postpartum visits. These actions can help prevent and treat severe pregnancy-related complications,” the CS said.
A 2024 report on Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) indicates that Kenya has a high maternal mortality rate, with 594 deaths per 100,000 live births.
This places the country off track for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.