Procter & Gamble (P&G) has entered into a partnership with Laikipia and Tharaka Nithi counties to educate 65,000 mothers on maternal healthcare in the next 5 years.
P&G together with Laikipia County and Tharaka Nithi County signed a 5 year MoU that will see the three partner on the Mother and Baby Healthcare Program which will educate 65,000 new mothers in hospitals on issues of immunization, skin care, sleep and breast feeding.
For the past years, Kenya has seen a significant decrease in the annual number of maternal deaths across the country. But still, many women lose their lives due to pregnancy and childbirth from preventable causes such as lack of trained nurses to attend to them.
P&G, through its Mother and Baby Healthcare Program, emphasizes on quality improvement approach to reduce these causes of maternal mortality.
P&G Legal Counsel, Government Relations & Public Policy Lead for East Africa, Mr. George Owuor, said: “P&G is invested in the health of Kenya mothers. Laikipia and Tharaka Nithi counties are prioritizing maternal healthcare. This partnership is a natural fit in ensuring the healthy development of babies and the well-being of mothers.”
Poor access, availability and underutilization of maternal and newborn health services, low value to maternal care, fear of disrespect and abuse, need for privacy, especially in rural and pastoralist communities, lack of equipment and critical infrastructure such as functional labor rooms and laboratories have also been linked to poor maternal healthcare.
Laikipia’s First Lady H.E Maria Mbeneka said that Laikipia County together with P&G will team up to ensure that maternal health care is handled to its level best.
“A number of mothers lose their lives or their babies during birth and this is supposed to be the most joyful moment of their lives. But in partnership with P&G, we are confident that best maternal health Care will be provided for mothers in this counties,” she said.
Despite decrease in child mortality rate in Kenya, majority of nurses lack proper skills to perform their duties when it comes to Maternal Health Care.
On his part, Tharaka Nithi Governor, H.E Hon Muthomi Njuki said; “Trained attendants mean successful results. A robust and spirited health workforce is an investment in health for today and the future. Our goal is to ensure we have a workforce that can promise total access to health care for our people in the county. With partners such as P&G, we are confident that Tharaka Nithi County will be the leading light on issues of maternal health. We have advanced plans to build world class maternal health institutions that the people of Tharaka Nithi County deserve.”
Today’s partnership also seeks to complement the government’s effort in provision of free maternal care services nationwide.