All health facilities across the country have been directed to record and auditing every death involving a child or mother in an effort to reduce rising maternal and infant mortality rates.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS), Aden Duale, said the government will no longer tolerate preventable deaths of mothers and newborns, terming the situation unacceptable in the modern healthcare system.
Speaking 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), Duale said 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.
And to strengthen accountability, the Ministry will conduct a nationwide reproductive age mortality survey, to determine the actual number and causes of deaths, including maternal deaths.
Duale said the findings will help the government channel resources, skills, and interventions where they are most needed.
The CS added that the government is accelerating digitization of the maternal and perinatal deaths surveillance and response systems to ensure every case is reviewed promptly, actions assigned, and progress tracked in real time.
“We are digitizing reporting under the country’s digital health highway. Every morning, health facilities will be required to record reasons for all maternal and newborn mortalities,” he said, warning that failure to report or falsify data, will attract criminal sanctions under the Digital Health Act.
Duale said the Ministry is also tightening standards in triage, referral, oxygen and blood supply, and 24-hour theatre readiness, alongside neonatal resuscitation and respectful maternity care in all hospitals.
He emphasized that the government is committed to aligning the entire health system, to deliver measurable results in maternal and child health.
KUTRRH Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Zeinab Gura, reaffirmed the Hospital’s commitment to patient-centered, evidence-based healthcare, noting that the facility is upgrading infrastructure, expanding bed capacity, and investing in innovative research to improve service delivery.
Board Chairperson, James Kibugu, urged closer collaboration between the Ministry of Health and county governments, to address the shortage of specialized nurses by easing 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.
by Muoki Charles
