Kenya is preparing to host one of the largest global gatherings focused on maternal and newborn health, despite facing a pressing crisis of high maternal and infant mortality rates. The International Maternal Newborn Child Health (IMNH) Conference, scheduled for March 23-26 in Nairobi, is expected to attract approximately 1,800 delegates from 40 to 60 countries, primarily from Africa. This event aims to significantly influence regional and global strategies for maternal and newborn care.
Dr. Edward Serem, Head of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health at the Ministry of Health (MOH), emphasized the importance of this conference, stating, “This is the largest scientific conference of its kind in our country. It gives us a platform to learn from each other and identify what works.”
Despite the anticipation surrounding the conference, Kenya continues to grapple with alarming statistics. Reports indicate that between 2,500 and 5,000 mothers die each year, while approximately 92 newborns lose their lives daily, amounting to nearly 30,000 deaths annually. Although the maternal mortality ratio has improved to about 200 per 100,000 live births, these figures remain critically high.
Dr. Serem remarked, “In Africa and even in Kenya, these deaths are still unacceptably high. This is why we must continue to remind leadership that the problem still exists.”
Addressing the Challenges
Over the past decade, progress in reducing maternal and newborn deaths in Kenya has been slow, making the upcoming conference a crucial opportunity for candid discussions on effective strategies and failures. To better assess the situation, the MOH has initiated a Reproductive Age Mortality Survey aimed at updating and refining data on maternal deaths, with results expected by May.
The government is also working to bolster the healthcare system. Key initiatives include:
- Enhancing emergency training for healthcare providers.
- Expanding access to essential medical equipment, such as oxygen and CPAP machines for newborns.
- Improving referral systems.
- Implementing digital health platforms in 28 counties to facilitate real-time data tracking.
- Utilizing over 100,000 community health promoters to connect communities with healthcare services.
As a pivotal scientific gathering, the IMNH conference will bring together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to share insights and research on various topics, including staffing, referral systems, and access to essential medical supplies. Aside from learning from global experiences, Kenya aims to showcase its achievements, particularly in strengthening accountability through maternal and perinatal death surveillance systems.
The Role of Counties in Healthcare
With healthcare governance decentralized, county governments play a vital role in implementing health strategies. While the national government sets policy direction, execution relies on local leadership. Ongoing efforts focus on enhancing accountability at the county level, improving staffing, and promoting investments in healthcare infrastructure. Dr. Serem highlighted, “For quality care, you must invest in skills.”
One significant cause of maternal mortality is postpartum hemorrhage, characterized by excessive bleeding during or after childbirth. Factors contributing to this condition can include the mother’s health status, complications during delivery, or injuries sustained during the process. Dr. Louise Nyanjao, who leads maternal health programming at the MOH, noted that tough labor can elevate the risk of severe bleeding and life-threatening situations.
The Three-Delay Model
To better understand the persistent maternal and newborn mortality, experts refer to the “three-delay model,” which outlines critical gaps leading to these tragedies:
- The first delay occurs at the community level, where a pregnant woman may hesitate to seek medical care due to financial constraints, lack of awareness, or absence of support.
- The second delay happens after the decision to seek help but before reaching a healthcare facility, often exacerbated by poor transportation and infrastructure.
- The third delay relates to the quality of care received at the facility, which can be affected by staffing, available resources, and infrastructure.
Addressing these delays is a priority for the Ministry of Health, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where support is crucial for improving maternal outcomes.
Newborn Mortality and Future Goals
Newborn mortality remains a significant concern in Kenya, primarily due to conditions like birth asphyxia, prematurity, and infections. The nation currently reports about 21 newborn deaths per 1,000 live births, with a target to reduce this figure to 12 by 2030. Although investments in neonatal units have increased, many high-burden facilities still experience shortages of essential supplies.
The MOH is committed to enhancing care quality by training healthcare workers, ensuring access to crucial resources, and adopting a “mother and baby” care approach. Collaborations with global partners aim to stabilize vaccine supply.
Nurses and midwives are crucial to maternal and newborn health, especially in remote areas. Innovative technologies, such as portable ultrasound devices, are being introduced to identify risks early and improve outcomes, although staffing shortages persist as a challenge.
As the IMNH conference approaches, the expectation is for it to foster meaningful dialogue and catalyze progress in addressing these critical health issues. Dr. Juliet Omoha, Head of Newborn and Child Health at the MOH, emphasized the urgency, stating that Kenya sees 92 newborn deaths daily, equivalent to about four every hour. “The top three causes of these deaths are birth asphyxia, prematurity, and infections such as sepsis,” she noted.
Despite advancements in areas like skilled birth attendance—now at approximately 89 percent—recent trends indicate stagnation or regression in progress, with many deaths occurring within healthcare facilities. This raises significant concerns about the quality of care provided.
Challenges remain widespread, including shortages of healthcare providers, gaps in essential supplies like blood and oxygen, and inadequate infrastructure. In some regions, patients are transported without necessary medical support, leading to preventable deaths. “No woman should die because there was no blood, no oxygen, or no health worker on duty,” Dr. Omoha asserted.
Disparities exist across counties, with regions like Turkana, Baringo, and Migori showing the highest rates of maternal and newborn deaths, while others like Nyeri and Murang’a demonstrate that progress is achievable with the right focus and investment.
Although counties receive considerable funding, health experts argue that insufficient resources are allocated to maternal and newborn care. Kenya has established frameworks such as the Every One Newborn Everywhere Acceleration Plan and the Rapid Results Initiative, but officials recognize that plans alone are inadequate.
“We have the solutions. Now we need action and accountability,” Dr. Omoha stated, highlighting the urgency for tangible progress.
The country aims to meet ambitious targets, including 90 percent antenatal care coverage, 90 percent skilled birth attendance, 80 percent postnatal care, and 80 percent access to emergency care within two hours. These goals align with global development ambitions, but time is of the essence.
Kenya is rolling out the “Every Woman, Every Newborn (EWENE) Strategy (2026-2030) in line with the sustainable Development Goals, focusing on equity, quality, and accountability.
As the conference draws near, there is a call for media to move beyond mere statistics and convey the human narratives behind the crisis to amplify the voices of affected families and hold leaders accountable. With renewed urgency and support from international partners, Kenya stands at a pivotal moment. The IMNH 2026 Conference is more than just an event; it represents a critical test of commitment and an opportunity to transform promises into action.
