The fight against maternal mortality in Baringo County has received a significant boost following a generous donation of maternal health equipment by Dandelion Africa, a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving community health outcomes.
The equipment, distributed across all seven sub-counties, is aimed at enhancing maternal healthcare services and reducing the county’s maternal mortality rate, currently at 30 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Equipment to Revolutionize Maternal Healthcare
Speaking during the official handover ceremony at the Governor’s Office in Kabarnet town on Thursday, Ruth Nderitu, Programs Manager at Dandelion Africa, outlined the importance of the donated items.
The package includes essential tools such as Mama Natalie Birthing Simulators, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, maternal emergency commodities, and indicator tracking charts.
These resources are designed to improve emergency preparedness, mentorship, and overall quality of care provided to expectant mothers.
Nderitu emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting the county government’s efforts to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
Through its Maternal Infant Health Award Program, Dandelion Africa has also trained 96 healthcare workers in Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC), equipping them with life-saving skills.
“We have ensured that each sub-county receives a dummy birthing simulator to enable continuous mentorship among healthcare providers as they carry out their duties,” said Nderitu.
“We are optimistic that these efforts will significantly reduce maternal complications and mortalities by ensuring timely referrals and improved care.”
County Government’s Commitment to Maternal Health
Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi lauded the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that complements the county’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services.
He assured residents that his administration is committed to further collaborations with organizations like Dandelion Africa to enhance capacity building for healthcare workers.
“We plan to extend training opportunities to more healthcare workers in dispensaries across the county, ensuring that mothers receive skilled and professional care during delivery,” said Governor Cheboi.
“We urge mothers to prioritize delivering at health facilities where trained personnel can attend to them, rather than relying on traditional birth attendants with limited skills.”
Governor Cheboi also expressed gratitude to Dandelion Africa for their continued support, particularly in addressing maternal and child health challenges in rural communities.
Looking Ahead: Building Capacity for Healthcare Workers
Dandelion Africa announced plans to conduct the next phase of EmONC training in March, targeting additional healthcare workers from the region.
This initiative aims to further enhance the skills of healthcare providers in managing obstetric emergencies, ultimately reducing preventable maternal deaths.
The donation and training programs come as a ray of hope for Baringo County, where access to quality maternal health services remains a pressing issue.
With this partnership, both the county government and Dandelion Africa are making strides toward a future where no mother loses her life due to preventable childbirth complications.
This collaborative effort underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing critical health challenges and ensuring that all mothers and children have access to quality healthcare.