The Nairobi Hospital Champions Maternal and Child Health With Free Training Fair
By Sharon Atieno
Nairobi, August 30, 2025 – The Nairobi Hospital has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding maternal and child health by hosting a free training that brought together over 300 mothers, expectant parents, fathers, and nannies. The event, themed the “Daddy, Mommy and Baby Fair,” focused on empowering families with essential knowledge on pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, breastfeeding, nutrition, immunization, and childcare.
The day-long fair created a safe and inclusive space where participants engaged with healthcare professionals through interactive sessions. Topics ranged from pregnancy journeys and labour options, to debunking myths about delivery, lactation and nutrition for mothers, immunization essentials, and specialized nanny training.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Nicodemus Odongo, Director of Strategy and Innovation at The Nairobi Hospital, underscored the urgency of tackling maternal health as a collective responsibility.
“Maternal health is not just a medical issue but a societal imperative. We cannot reduce maternal mortality without confronting the myths, fears, and inequalities that surround childbirth. Every conversation we spark, every myth we dispel, brings us closer to a future where no woman dies giving life,” he said.
He praised the strong turnout of over 300 parents,and explained that the fair is an annual initiative aimed at offering continuous training and professional advice on prenatal and postnatal care.
Odongo noted that the hospital views maternal and child health as an ongoing journey rather than a one-off event. He added that through consultations with medical experts and nutritionists, the program seeks to reduce maternal and infant mortality by equipping parents with essential knowledge and support
The initiative comes at a critical moment for Kenya, which continues to face high maternal mortality rates. UNICEF reports that in 2023, the country recorded 530 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births an 11 percent improvement from the previous year but still far from the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of fewer than 70 deaths by 2030.
Medical experts stress that antenatal and preconception care remain key to preventing maternal and newborn deaths. Highlighting this, Dr. Sylvia Mruttu, an obstetrician and gynecologist at The Nairobi Hospital, urged women to prioritize antenatal visits.
“Pregnant women should have at least four antenatal visits during their pregnancy. These visits are vital in diagnosing risks, managing conditions, and implementing preventive measures in good time,” she noted.
Despite progress achieved over the past decade through collaborations between government, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and private hospitals, barriers such as harmful cultural practices, stigma around caesarean sections, and reliance on traditional birth attendants continue to jeopardize lives.
At the “Daddy, Mommy and Baby Fair” held at The Nairobi Hospital, parents expressed their appreciation for the free training sessions on maternal and child care.
Perez Mbayi, mother to Andrea, noted that the program was invaluable in helping both mothers and fathers understand how to care for their babies. She emphasized that such events provide an opportunity for parents to learn and share knowledge, highlighting the importance of being present and informed during the early stages of child development.
Another participant, Adjana Thompson, a mother of one, described the event as interactive and educational. She said she had gained knowledge on breastfeeding, immunization, and safe pregnancy exercises, adding that the sessions not only empowered parents but also engaged children in playful and interactive ways. Thompson stressed that such programs could play a critical role in reducing maternal deaths if parents are mentored and supported before delivery, ensuring safer pregnancies and healthier families.
By hosting the training fair, The Nairobi Hospital has positioned itself as a trusted partner in advancing maternal and child health. The hospital emphasized that only through partnerships, awareness, and accessible quality care can Kenya accelerate progress toward ending preventable maternal and perinatal deaths.
