Kenya among 10 African countries to share Sh64.67 billion health fund to save lives of mothers, babies
The fund aims to save the lives of 300,000 mothers and newborns and enhance the quality of care for 34 million mothers and babies by the year 2030.
Ten African nations, including Kenya, will benefit from a Sh64.67 billion ($500 million) health fund aimed at combating maternal and newborn mortality across the continent.
The funds, launched by Abu Dhabi, will support efforts to reduce preventable deaths and improve healthcare services in regions with the highest maternal and newborn mortality rates, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
More To Read
- Taita Taveta health workers trained in AI-powered ultrasound to tackle maternal deaths
- Why your child is suddenly clingy and what it really means
- Dental problems and cavities during breastfeeding: How moms are affected
- Mothers' battle for survival when diabetes complicates pregnancy
- Kenya's infant mortality rate declines amid improved maternal care interventions
- Risks of high, low blood pressure during pregnancy
The initiative, known as the Africa Maternal and Newborn Health Initiative and now renamed the Beginnings Fund, was unveiled during a high-level summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is considered one of the most significant international investments targeting preventable maternal and child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Beginnings Fund brings together global philanthropists, African governments and health partners such as the Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, the Elma Foundation and the Delta Foundation.
The fund aims to save the lives of 300,000 mothers and newborns and enhance the quality of care for 34 million mothers and babies by the year 2030.
“African governments, supported by philanthropic and bilateral organisations, are leading the way in advancing maternal and newborn health through groundbreaking innovations,” Beginnings Fund CEO Alice Kang’ethe said.
“The continent is making significant progress, but sustainable change requires collective action. I express my gratitude to the African governments, national organisations and experts, as well as our founding investors, who are part of this unique collaborative effort to drive lasting change across Africa.”
Disparities
The launch of the fund comes at a critical moment for Kenya, which, despite notable progress through programs such as Linda Mama and the Beyond Zero campaign, continues to face significant disparities in maternal health services, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, informal settlements, and conflict-prone areas.
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, the country’s maternal mortality rate stands at 342 deaths per 100,000 live births, while neonatal mortality is at 21 deaths per 1,000 live births. The figures highlight the persistent challenges in ensuring safe deliveries and adequate newborn care, especially in rural and underserved regions.
Counties such as Mandera, Turkana, Wajir, and Kakamega continue to record some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the country. Contributing factors include a shortage of skilled birth attendants, under-equipped health facilities and poor transport networks that hinder access to emergency care.
The funding is expected to help fill a significant gap left by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which recently announced reduced support for maternal and newborn health programs in parts of Africa.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most dangerous region in the world to give birth in, with women there 130 times more likely to die during childbirth than women in high-income countries. Newborn deaths also make up nearly half of all under-five deaths in the region.
It is estimated that 70 to 80 per cent of maternal and newborn deaths in Africa are preventable with access to proven interventions, such as skilled attendance at birth, clean delivery practices, postnatal care and newborn resuscitation.
“The world has made significant progress in reducing maternal and child deaths over the past two decades, thanks to dedicated health workers and governments, as well as investment and technical expertise,” World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
“However, every seven seconds, a mother or child dies from preventable causes. We welcome the launch of the Beginnings Fund and look forward to working with all stakeholders to end these preventable tragedies.”
Top Stories Today
