Expectant mothers across Western Kenya grappling with high-risk pregnancies have received a major boost following the return of a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
Dr. Muruka Kays, an obstetrician-gynaecologist who previously served at the Kisumu-based referral facility, has rejoined the hospital after completing two years of specialized training in maternal-fetal medicine, a rare subspecialty focused on managing complex and high-risk pregnancies.
His return marks a historic first for the region, making JOOTRH the only public hospital in Nyanza, Kakamega, and the wider Western Kenya belt with a resident MFM specialist, a development expected to significantly improve outcomes for mothers with chronic medical conditions.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine is a highly specialized branch of obstetrics that deals with the health of both the mother and the fetus before, during, and immediately after pregnancy, particularly where pre-existing illnesses or pregnancy-related complications pose life-threatening risks.
The deployment comes at a time when the region and Kenya as a whole continue to grapple with a high maternal mortality burden.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, the country records an estimated 342 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, with conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes contributing significantly to preventable deaths.
Women in western Kenya reportedly face a disproportionately higher risk due to late referrals, limited specialized care, and underlying chronic illnesses.
Speaking on Thursday during an official reception at JOOTRH, Dr. Kays said chronic medical conditions currently rank among the leading causes of maternal deaths, with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, being particularly devastating if not detected and managed early.
“Such women would benefit immensely from early diagnosis, close monitoring, and timely, well-coordinated intervention,” Dr. Kays said, adding that many complications seen at referral hospitals could be prevented with specialized antenatal care.
“My goal is to walk with these women throughout their pregnancies, identify potential risks early, and intervene in good time to ensure the safety of both mother and baby,” he added.
He was received by JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Joshua Clinton Okise, who described the development as a milestone in strengthening maternal and neonatal services in the region.
Dr. Kays’ expertise, he said, will be critical for expectant mothers living with complex health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid disorders.
Other beneficiaries, he added, include women with sickle cell disease, epilepsy, obesity-related complications, and cancer survivors who wish to conceive safely.
To embed the specialized care into routine services, Dr. Okise said the hospital’s Division of Obstetrics has established a dedicated Maternal-Fetal Medicine clinic that will run every Monday.
The clinic will offer comprehensive services, including detailed clinical assessments, advanced ultrasound evaluations, specialized counselling, and coordinated care involving multiple medical disciplines.
He urged women from Kisumu and neighboring counties to take advantage of the services, noting that many patients previously had to seek similar care in Nairobi or private facilities at prohibitive costs.
The move, he said, aligns with national efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by improving access to specialized care at regional referral hospitals, particularly in underserved areas.
With the new clinic in place, JOOTRH, which was recently upgraded to a level 6A National Referral Hospital, is expected to play a central role in managing complex pregnancies across Western Kenya, easing referral pressures on other national hospitals while bringing life-saving care closer to mothers who need it most.
By Chris Mahandara
