Nakuru: The County Government of Nakuru is enhancing hands-on training for surgical teams from ten public health facilities involved in Caesarean Section and other obstetric procedures, with the aim of improving maternal and newborn outcomes. Through the ongoing Obstetric Safe Surgery (OSS) Programme, the facilities are being equipped with advanced simulation models, including Caesarean Section birth models, complete procedure sets, and other training equipment to support continuous learning, mentorship, and hands-on practice.
According to Kenya News Agency, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Care Services, Roselyn Mungai, stated that the department is focused on safe obstetric surgery. She mentioned that the equipment would help standardize obstetric surgical skills across the county, ensuring healthcare workers can safely practice life-saving procedures in simulated environments before applying them in clinical settings. The surgical teams are undergoing specialized training supported by Jhpiego Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics, facilitated by experts from the Global Surgery Foundation and AIC Kijabe Hospital.
The programme, which began in five hospitals during its first phase, is now expanding to ten health facilities across the eleven sub-counties, with each facility set to receive simulation equipment alongside continued capacity building and clinical mentorship. Mungai emphasized that the training is crucial for maintaining high standards of surgical practice and keeping up with advancements in medical technology. The initiative enhances the technical and non-technical skills of the surgical teams, promoting patient safety, and fostering effective teamwork.
Speaking at the Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mungai explained that the training features simulation-based learning and practical sessions aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) global guidelines for preventing surgical site infections. This approach ensures consistent application of best practices across all county health facilities.
The training is part of a broader effort to strengthen the efficiency of Nakuru’s surgical workforce. By enhancing surgical capacity and skills, the county intends to significantly reduce preventable maternal deaths and improve outcomes of cesarean deliveries. The training also focuses on utilizing WHO’s Surgical Safety Checklist and adhering to infection prevention measures, addressing concerns about maternal and newborn safety during childbirth.
Mungai highlighted that the support from partners goes beyond equipment, signifying an investment in the competence of county healthcare workers and the safety of mothers and newborns. The training programme involves a team-based approach, focusing on enhancing communication and teamwork among surgical staff and covering a range of obstetric surgical procedures.
Furthermore, the CECM emphasized the importance of upholding professional standards in surgical practices, stressing the need to enhance surgical training programmes to ensure practitioners are equipped with the necessary skills to handle various surgical procedures. The Nakuru OSS project, launched in March 2025, aims to improve safe, timely, and respectful Caesarean Section care for over 25,000 women giving birth each year in Nakuru County.
The project’s first phase covered five facilities: Nakuru Provincial Hospital as the hub, and Naivasha District Hospital, Bahati District Hospital, Molo Subcounty Hospital, and Gilgil Subcounty Hospital as spokes. It provides ongoing training and mentorship for obstetricians, surgeons, anaesthesia providers, nurses, midwives, and theatre staff.
The intervention addresses a significant gap in maternal care, as the Global Surgery Foundation notes that 37 percent of maternal deaths in Kenya are associated with Caesarean Sections. In Nakuru, the Caesarean Section rate is 22.9 percent across the project facilities, highlighting the need for strengthened surgical teams and improved maternal healthcare services.
