New Strategies Introduced to Reduce Maternal Complications

Kenya’s Ministry of Health has announced a set of bold new measures designed to slash maternal and newborn complications by improving quality of care and boosting surveillance systems. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale revealed that the government is launching a national Reproductive-Age Mortality Survey (RAMOS) to uncover the true scope and drivers of maternal deaths. At the same time, the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system will be fully digitized to ensure real-time tracking of maternal and newborn fatalities. Additional steps include enforcing higher clinical standards—such as 24-hour theatre readiness, consultant backup, access to oxygen and blood, and neonatal resuscitation—alongside training to promote respectful maternity care.
At the county level, new committees are being formed to put these policies into action. In Turkana County, health officials, supported by Amref Health Africa under the Danida-Transcend Project, have rolled out 2024 guidelines for MPDSR and formed a Maternal‑Perinatal Death Surveillance committee. These committees will analyze local data, identify causes of preventable deaths, and coordinate emergency obstetric services—including ensuring that ambulances are stationed at sub-county facilities for faster referrals.
Medical services officials, including Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga, are also calling for stronger partnerships to drive these reforms. The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) has thrown its weight behind the effort, demanding dedicated funding for perinatal care and broader access to services like oxygen therapy and neonatal intensive care.
Looking ahead, the government is anchoring its push on long-term investment. Under a new RMNCAH+N (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health & Nutrition) investment case, officials plan to inject billions into maternal and newborn care over the next five years—with a major slice going to quality improvement, human resources, and lifesaving services. These interventions, officials say, could cut preventable maternal and infant deaths significantly and bring Kenya closer to its UHC (Universal Health Coverage) goals.