The African Population and Health Research Centre will fund the renovation and expansion of a local maternity home in order to improve health of mothers and newly born children in Nakuru region.
According to the regional director of APHRS –Kenyan chapter Mwenda Gitonga, the health organization will spend Sh2 million to improve services at Bondeni Maternity Home starting from January next year, in a strategy aimed at empowering women on reproductive issues.
While talking to the press during a consultative meeting at the facility on Saturday, the health NGO expert observed that many mothers and children die during birth because of limited maternity services both before and after birth or during birth.
“Despite of the free maternity services the government has pledged, stakeholders need to put in resources to empower women in reproductive health matters. APHRC will continue playing a big role in research and material assistance to ensure that health standards in the continent are uplifted,’’ said Gitonga.
The Deputy Matron of the home Ann Atanga said that the facility lacks modern equipment to cater for increased maternity services after the government introduced free maternity services in the country.