New Program to Provide Emergency Maternal Care

Tharaka Nithi – is set to launch a new program aimed at providing emergency healthcare services for expectant mothers in the region, as revealed by Margaret Muthomi, the wife of the county’s governor. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the county government, M-mama, Vodafone, and Pathfinders, focusing on offering affordable emergency transport services for mothers and newborns.

According to Kenya News Agency, the program is designed to assist mothers who experience sudden complications such as bleeding and require immediate medical attention. The plan includes allocating community emergency drivers who will be on standby to transport expectant mothers to healthcare facilities for prompt treatment. “We want to establish our community emergency drivers who can be called at any time to take pregnant mothers to the clinic or recommend the relevant hospital for treatment,” she stated.

The primary objective of this program is to reduce maternal deaths and improve life expectancy in the region. Mrs. Muthomi noted that the project is expected to be launched soon.

Dr. Gichuiya Nthuraku M’riara, County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Health and Medical Services, emphasized the importance of this initiative. He pointed out that sudden complications during pregnancy can be life-threatening and necessitate quick response. The program aims to facilitate rapid, affordable transportation of expectant mothers to hospitals for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Nthuraku mentioned that the county is preparing the necessary infrastructure and skilled health practitioners to support the program once it is operational. “We are in talks to determine when we will launch this program and put in the necessary infrastructure and skilled health workers who will assist the mothers,” he said.

The CEC highlighted the significance of addressing such emergencies to improve the health of both mother and child, contributing to the region’s economic development. He also expressed gratitude to the governor’s wife for her continuous support in various health sectors, including breast cancer treatment, addressing teenage pregnancies, and combating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).