The government of Kenya,UNICEF and USAID has today launched a partnership aimed at reducing mortality rates among mothers and children
in the arid regions of Kenya.Universal health coverage been a top priority of the
Government of Kenya this aims to adress
Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health & Nutrition (RMNCAHN).
Speaking during the launch at a Nairobi hotel John Kuehnle Director USAID health population and nutrition has said In the past year’s Kenya Demographic Health Survey revealed both progress and disparities in maternal child health issues, Despite strides made in reducing child and maternal mortality nationwide, North-Eastern Arid and Semi Arid counties, particularly Garissa, Mandera, Isiolo, and Wajir, are lagging behind.
23 percent of children in Garissa are fully immunized within the first year of life compared to the national average of 80 Percent.The program been launched today is a partnership between the United States Agency for International Development and UNICEF, is
designed for those children.
Through strategic, comprehensive support the program will improve maternal and newborn, child and adolescent health.It will
also help strengthen the health care systems more broadly in these counties.The Government of Kenya is working hard to provide quality health
coverage for everyone, and this program is part of that effort The Equity program aims to ensure the needs of mothers and their children are addressed holistically.
The first step along this path is ensuring that people have access to quality information and services for family planning and reproductive health including improving services at health centers, and educating communities on the tools and resources available,the program will focus on improving healthcare for pregnant mothers and newborn babies ensuring that everyone knows how to access important prenatal services, where to find a safe place to give birth, and that health facilities are clean and secure.
children under 5 are entitled get quality nutrition they need to grow up healthy and have access to essential services like clean drinking water and social protection.
