Kitui, Kenya| In a landmark move to enhance maternal and newborn healthcare, the Kitui County Government has inaugurated two state-of-the-art maternal and neonatal units.
The newly established facilities, located at Kitui County Referral Hospital and Nuu Sub-County Hospital, are expected to significantly improve healthcare services for expectant mothers and newborns while reducing infant and maternal mortality rates in the region.
Transforming Maternal and Newborn Care
The flagship facility, renamed the Little Angels Newborn Unit, boasts a 70-bed capacity and is fully equipped to handle pre-term births and other neonatal complications.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the County Government of Kitui and the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB), a global organization committed to improving healthcare access in underserved communities.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Kitui County Governor Dr. Julius Malombe reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to strengthening maternal and neonatal healthcare services.
“A newborn unit is not just a place where tiny babies fight for survival but a sanctuary where miracles unfold daily. Likewise, a maternity unit is where new life begins and families find hope,” Dr. Malombe stated.
The governor highlighted the pressing need for enhanced maternal and newborn healthcare services in Kitui, citing critical statistics from 2024.
The county recorded 22,733 live births, out of which 1,559 babies had low birth weights (under 2,500 grams), and 756 were pre-term.
In response, the county managed 2,315 low birth weight and pre-term infants in newborn units, with 1,128 newborns transitioning to Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)—a method where an infant is placed on the mother’s chest for warmth instead of using an incubator.
Meanwhile, 1,187 newborns received conventional neonatal care.
Addressing Past Challenges in Maternal and Neonatal Health
Before the devolution of healthcare services, Kitui County faced alarming maternal and neonatal mortality rates due to poor healthcare infrastructure, inadequate emergency response systems, and limited access to skilled birth attendants.
Governor Malombe noted that the county previously recorded a maternal mortality rate of 400 deaths per 100,000 live births and a neonatal mortality rate of 28 per 1,000 live births—figures that exceeded the national averages of 362 per 100,000 and 22 per 1,000 live births, respectively.
“Kitui County faced significant challenges in maternal and newborn health. Limited access to skilled birth attendants, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and logistical barriers to emergency care contributed to high mortality rates,” the governor stated.
However, through strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare personnel, and partnerships, Kitui County has made remarkable strides in maternal and neonatal health.
Key Healthcare Achievements
Among the notable healthcare improvements, the governor cited:
- The construction and equipping of hospitals, health centers, and dispensaries across the county.
- Recruitment and training of 2,470 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to enhance community-based healthcare.
- Establishment of maternity units in Kisayani, Kalambani, Kamutei, and Kanziku health centers, along with a newborn unit at Ikanga Hospital.
Additionally, CMMB has played a vital role by training healthcare workers in essential newborn care techniques, including:
- Early Essential Newborn Care (EENC)
- Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)
- Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC)
To enhance outreach efforts, bicycles have been donated to CHPs, enabling them to reach mothers in remote rural areas more efficiently.
Commitment to Universal Health Coverage and Global Health Goals
Governor Malombe reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and eliminating preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
“Every baby saved is a future full of possibilities, and saving mothers is not just an act of compassion—it’s an investment in our shared future,” he said.
The initiative aligns with global and national efforts to improve maternal and newborn health, as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3), which focuses on reducing maternal mortality and ensuring universal access to quality healthcare.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 287,000 women worldwide died from pregnancy-related complications in 2020, while 2.4 million newborns did not survive their first month of life.
In Kenya, the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 reports a maternal mortality ratio of 355 per 100,000 live births and a neonatal mortality rate of 21 per 1,000 live births—figures Kitui County is determined to improve upon through continued investment in maternal and neonatal healthcare.
With these new healthcare units, Kitui County takes a significant step forward in ensuring safe motherhood and healthy newborns, providing a brighter future for families across the region.
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