[Sigh of relief to expectant mothers in Nyamira county as well-wishers provide maternity services. Photo|Business Daily]
The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), Path International, and Non-Governmental Organization NGO Fhi360’s Aphia Plus program have launched an initiative in Nyamira county dubbed, “Linda Mama program.
Through the program, the stakeholders look to cut down the rates of deaths recorded during childbirth in the region.Just like the Beyond Zero Campaign spearheaded by the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, the Linda Mama program is geared toward ensuring there are minimal if not zero deaths from mothers giving birth in Nyamira County.
Speaking at Nyamira County Referral Hospital on Saturday Path International development vice president Cathy Cahill, most expectant mothers in Nyamira give birth at home for lack of facilitation to go to a maternity for delivery services.
“It is wrong when a mother cannot deliver in a hospital because she cannot afford delivery fees. It is wrong when mothers die during birth because of complications that can be avoided if the delivery took place in a health facility,” said Cahill.
Speaking during the launch of the program Nyamira Health services chief Douglas Bosire urged pregnant women to desist from giving birth at home when such a program has been put in place.
Mothers will be educated on family planning, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, as well as receive antenatal and postnatal services.