West pokot: West Pokot County has embarked on a five-day training initiative to enhance Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC). This training aims to improve the management of maternal and newborn complications, ultimately reducing maternal and infant mortality in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the training is being organized by the Division of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Organization in collaboration with the West Pokot County Government’s Department of Health and Lwala Community Alliance. Through Lwala Community Alliance’s support, 65 frontline healthcare providers from all six sub-counties of West Pokot are being trained as facility-based EmONC mentors. These mentors will further train other healthcare workers within their facilities.
Dr. Samuel Ooga, a National EmONC trainer from the Ministry of Health under RMNCAH, expressed the ministry’s dedication to ending preventable maternal and neonatal deaths through continuous capacity building of healthcare workers and the adoption of lifesaving innovations. Dr. Ooga highlighted innovations such as the Non-pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG), uterine balloon tamponade, V-drapes, and heat-stable carbetocin, which are pivotal in saving lives during childbirth.
Dr. Ooga also outlined key national commitments, including achieving zero preventable maternal and neonatal deaths, eliminating harmful practices like teenage pregnancies and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and ensuring zero unmet need for family planning services. He noted that approximately 80 percent of maternal deaths occur within healthcare facilities due to inadequate skills, late initiation of antenatal care, and lack of essential medical supplies.
West Pokot Reproductive Health Coordinator, Consolata Siree, mentioned that the County has sensitized 65 healthcare workers on postpartum hemorrhage prevention and management, and is currently training another 65 providers on EmONC with Lwala Community Alliance’s support. She emphasized that bleeding during pregnancy and childbirth is a leading cause of maternal complications in the County, and the training will boost healthcare workers’ ability to manage such complications.
Ms. Siree revealed that the County, with Lwala Community Alliance’s support, received 102 Non-pneumatic Anti-Shock Garments, distributed to 47 health facilities to manage severe bleeding and save lives. She expressed gratitude to the County government, Lwala Community Alliance, and the Ministry of Health for their continued support.
Elvis Wekesa, a nurse at Serewo Health Centre, assured the community of improved maternal and newborn healthcare services. Agneta Cheyech, a nurse at Tamugh Health Centre, urged expectant mothers to seek professional care during childbirth, warning against home deliveries due to associated risks.
The County Director of Health, Dr. Solomon Kokwo, praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Lwala Community Alliance, and the County Government. He emphasized the importance of the EmONC training in strengthening the County’s health system and reiterated the County’s commitment to improving access to quality maternal and newborn health services.
