Public-Private partnership unveils M-mama Initiative to enhance maternal, newborn healthcare
The Government of Kenya, the U.S Government through the Agency for International Development (USAID), Vodafone and Mpesa Foundation has entered into a public-private partnership with the aim of improving the health sector.
The partnership has seen the creation of an initiative, M-mama initiative, that will help in strengthening health service delivery in counties.
The M-mama initiative is an emergency referral system that swiftly transports pregnant women and newborns facing complications to appropriate healthcare facilities.
Anne Waiguru, Chair of the Council of Governors, said during the program’s announcement that it will ensure that no mother dies while giving birth.
Waiguru said that the M-Mama initiative was a welcome addition to partnerships that are at the forefront of maternal and child health initiatives in Kenya.
“The M-mama initiative is aimed at enhancing maternal and newborn health through a digital, innovative, real-time referral system to address emergency transport challenges for pregnant women,” said Waiguru.
“We are all aware that for many maternal and newborn complications, there is a very short time window for emergency response before death. Therefore, M-mama is another step in ensuring that our women have access to the highest attainable health services as articulated by our constitution,” she added.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Susan Nakhumicha said that the M-Mama partnership is aligned with Kenya’s development and health agenda and will provide an opportunity to strengthen primary healthcare and digitize the health sector.
“No mother and child deserve to die, and we must do our onerous duty to deliver quality and holistic maternal and neonatal services,” said the CS.