Wote: Three counties in the Lower Eastern Region have been equipped with critical medical resources in a bid to reduce the alarming rates of infant mortality due to premature births. Makueni, Machakos, and Kitui counties each received two incubators from the Mudavadi Memorial Foundation Fund (MMFF) through the Okoa Malaika Programme.
According to Kenya News Agency, the distribution of these incubators took place at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote Town, Makueni Subcounty, and was presided over by Tessie Musalia, Chair of the Ushiriki Wema Foundation and Managing Trustee. Musalia emphasized the need for collaborative efforts from both government and development partners to invest in prenatal care to tackle the risks threatening infant growth in Kenya.
Musalia highlighted that approximately 134,000 to 193,000 babies in Kenya are born prematurely each year, corresponding to a national preterm birth rate of 13 percent. She urged the government to bolster primary healthcare systems and ensure equitable access to skilled birth attendance nationwide. The government’s Linda Jamii health cover initiative is aimed at strengthening these efforts.
Acknowledging the financial support from the People’s Republic of China, Musalia noted that the Okoa Malaika programme is committed to reducing preventable deaths among preterm infants by equipping Level 4 and 5 hospitals with incubators. Since its launch two years ago, the program has distributed over 45 incubators across 22 counties, including the latest additions to Makueni, Machakos, and Kitui.
Musalia also advocated for policy changes, suggesting an extension of maternity leave for mothers of premature infants from three to six months to accommodate the extended hospital stays required for their infants’ care.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, MS Guo Haiyan, addressed the gathering, revealing that China’s government has established over 3,000 prenatal intensive care unit networks nationwide. These units provide timely and professional treatment for premature babies, significantly reducing infant mortality rates and enhancing family wellbeing. Haiyan praised MMFF for its role in distributing incubators and raising public awareness about premature births.
The ambassador reiterated the importance of addressing premature births not just as a medical concern but as a broader social issue, emphasizing the value of every life. During the event, she referenced data from the World Health Organisation, stating that 15 million infants are born prematurely globally each year.
Anita Mutula, speaking on behalf of the Makueni government, announced the establishment of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Makueni County Referral Hospital. The unit aims to improve survival chances for preterm and low birth weight infants, addressing the region’s recorded 1,411 preterm births, of which 250 did not survive the first 28 days.
The event served as both a commemoration of World Prematurity Day and a call to action to support the smallest and most vulnerable members of society-preterm babies.
