Government Distributes KSh43 Million Maternal Health Equipment to Priority Counties
The national government has intensified efforts to improve maternal and newborn healthcare services with the distribution of specialised medical equipment worth KSh43 million to hospitals across 11 priority counties.
The initiative was officially launched in Siaya County on Sunday evening when Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga presided over the handover of electric obstetric beds and life-saving maternal health equipment at Madiany Sub-County Hospital.
The equipment is being distributed under the Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere (EWENE) campaign through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.
According to the Ministry of Health, a total of 108 electric obstetric beds and other essential maternal health commodities will be supplied to 45 hospitals located in counties identified as having a high need for maternal and newborn health interventions.
Dr. Oluga said the investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns while advancing the country’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
He noted that access to quality healthcare services remains a key pillar of the government’s health sector reforms and emphasized the importance of ensuring that all Kenyans, regardless of their location, receive timely and affordable medical care.
“The investment reflects the Government’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes and advancing Universal Health Coverage through equitable access to quality healthcare services, financial risk protection and strengthened primary healthcare systems,” he said.
The Principal Secretary observed that maternal and newborn deaths remain a significant challenge in many parts of the country, making investments in modern medical equipment and healthcare infrastructure essential for improving survival rates.
He further highlighted the proposed Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, describing it as a crucial framework that will help strengthen healthcare standards and accountability within medical facilities.
According to Dr. Oluga, the proposed legislation seeks to enhance patient safety, improve service delivery and promote continuous quality improvement across both public and private health institutions.
He urged healthcare providers and facility managers to embrace quality assurance mechanisms aimed at ensuring safe, effective and patient-centred care.
The PS also linked healthcare reforms to broader economic empowerment initiatives, arguing that financially stable households are better positioned to contribute consistently to the Social Health Authority (SHA) and maintain uninterrupted access to healthcare services.
He said sustainable health financing remains critical to the success of Universal Health Coverage and called for continued efforts to improve household incomes and economic opportunities for families.
The newly delivered equipment is expected to significantly enhance the capacity of Madiany Sub-County Hospital to manage maternal and newborn health cases, particularly during labour, delivery and emergency obstetric situations.
Health officials believe the intervention will contribute to reducing preventable maternal and neonatal deaths in Siaya County while improving the quality of care available to expectant mothers.
The handover ceremony brought together senior health sector stakeholders, including the Siaya County Chief Officer for Health, representatives from the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), officials from the Ministry of Health in Bondo Sub-County and the management team of Madiany Sub-County Hospital.
The distribution programme forms part of broader national efforts to strengthen primary healthcare services and ensure healthcare facilities are adequately equipped to respond to the needs of mothers and newborns.
With the rollout now underway, health authorities expect the equipment to play a critical role in improving maternal health indicators and supporting Kenya’s long-term goal of reducing preventable deaths among women and children during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.
