The Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has lauded the performance of maternal healthcare in Uasin Gishu county as he acknowledged the role played by healthcare providers in promoting maternal healthcare-a crucial part of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring access to essential services like antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and emergency obstetric care without financial hardship.
The CS was speaking at the county headquarters during his tour to Eldoret, Uasin Gishu, to launch Kenya’s Taifa Care Model, an initiative designed to guarantee every Kenyan access to affordable, quality healthcare and move the country closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The CS also toured the Mama Rachel Ruto Maternity Hospital, reviewing its 25-capacity newborn unit.
With a 70-bed capacity, modern theatres, and advanced medical technology, the facility demonstrates Kenya’s Taifa Care Model in action by enhancing maternal and child healthcare and offering comprehensive services including family planning and postnatal care.
He also stated that eight out of ten mothers in Uasin Gishu deliver in health facilities, six out of ten children live to see their fifth birthday, and 76% of children are immunized.
“There are more pregnant women in Uasin Gishu attending Antenatal Care and Postnatal Care, meeting WHO recommendations of a minimum of 8 out of 10 for ANC and 4 for PNC, this is really commendable to ensure improved both maternal and newborn health outcomes,” he noted.
While acknowledging the crucial role played by the Community Health Promoters as the first line of health care at the community level, he challenged them to scale up efforts to raise the immunization rate to about 90 percent.
During the visit, Duale assured residents that the Benefits and Tariffs Advisory Panel will, within a month, onboard dental services by developing evidence-based benefit packages and tariffs for SHA. This, he said, will make dental care more affordable and sustainable while addressing oral health needs through preventive, restorative, and treatment interventions.
The CS was accompanied by Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim, Health PS Mary Muthoni, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, Digital Health Authority (DHA) CEO Eng. Antony Lenaiyara, and senior national and county health officials.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
