Nairobi: All health facilities across the country have been directed to record and audit every death involving a child or mother in an effort to reduce rising maternal and infant mortality rates. Health Cabinet Secretary (CS), Aden Duale, announced that the government will no longer tolerate preventable deaths of mothers and newborns, describing the situation as unacceptable in the modern healthcare system.
According to Kenya News Agency, Duale made these remarks during the 4th graduation ceremony for specialized nurses in Oncology, Critical Care, Perioperative, and Nephrology Nursing at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH). He emphasized that every maternal or infant death must now be treated as a call to action. ‘Any maternal or newborn death is one death too many. As a Ministry, we are moving from statements to systems that prevent avoidable deaths during delivery,’ he said.
To strengthen accountability, the Ministry plans to conduct a nationwide reproductive age mort
ality survey to determine the actual number and causes of deaths, including maternal deaths. Duale explained that the findings will help the government allocate resources, skills, and interventions where they are most needed. The CS added that the government is accelerating the digitization of maternal and perinatal deaths surveillance and response systems to ensure every case is reviewed promptly, actions assigned, and progress tracked in real time.
Duale highlighted that under the country’s digital health highway, health facilities will be required to record reasons for all maternal and newborn mortalities every morning. He also warned that failure to report or falsify data will lead to criminal sanctions under the Digital Health Act. Furthermore, the Ministry is enhancing standards in triage, referral, oxygen and blood supply, and 24-hour theatre readiness, alongside neonatal resuscitation and respectful maternity care in all hospitals.
He affirmed the government’s commitment to aligning the entire healt
h system to deliver measurable results in maternal and child health. Dr. Zeinab Gura, KUTRRH Chief Executive Officer, echoed the Hospital’s commitment to patient-centered, evidence-based healthcare, noting that infrastructure upgrades, expanded bed capacity, and innovative research investments are underway to improve service delivery.
Board Chairperson, James Kibugu, called for closer collaboration between the Ministry of Health and county governments to address the shortage of specialized nurses by facilitating student release and funding mechanisms. ‘Such partnerships are vital to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare workforce capable of addressing the country’s evolving health challenges,’ he said.