AMREF Health Africa Archives | The East African Business Times

Over 100 women living with fistula are expected to benefit from free surgeries and medical advice during a week-long medical camp at Thika Level 5 Hospital in Kiambu County.

M-PESA Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Kiambu County Government, Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa, and Amref Health Africa, organised the free fistula camp and invested KES 4 million as part of its Integrated Fistula Programme, which is set to run for two years.

“We are aware of the power of strategic partnerships to achieve the SDGs, and our fistula programme is a true testament to this. Across the country, we have impacted over 1,000 women living with fistula through treatment and free reconstructive surgeries since we kicked off this programme, and our commitment is to continue transforming the lives of more women through such camps,” said Joe Ogutu, Safaricom Foundation Chairman.

The Foundation aims to impact 1,000 women by the end of this year as it affirms its efforts to restore dignity in the community. The Integrated programme, themed “Restoring Dignity of Women & Girls in Kenya,” aims to contribute to the elimination of obstetric fistula in Kenya by 2030 by enhancing the national capacity to treat fistula cases and address the underlying health, socio-economic, cultural, and human rights determinants.

In addition to direct medical intervention, the M-PESA Foundation is working on upgrading hospitals and healthcare facilities to better monitor and treat fistula cases promptly, therefore ultimately reducing the prevalence of fistula.

“We reaffirm our commitment to restoring the dignity, health, and mental well-being of women and girls affected by this condition. Female Genital Fistula is a human rights concern impacting the most vulnerable. At the Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa, we address the socio-economic, cultural, and mental health factors perpetuating this condition. By collaborating with our partners, communities, and governments, we aim to break the cycle of Female Genital Fistula. Let us unite to eliminate obstetric fistula and restore hope and dignity to women across Africa,” said Tanya Nduati, CEO of the Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa.

Timely access to quality emergency obstetric care and the presence of trained health professionals with midwifery skills during childbirth is the most cost-effective way to reduce maternal mortality and morbidities such as fistula.

Homa Bay County residents are set to benefit from a maternal healthcare boost after Safaricom through its two Foundations unveiled facilities worth KES 38 million.

At the Homa Bay County Referral Hospital, Safaricom Foundation has renovated the Newborn Unit at a cost of KES 1.3 million, targeting an increase in the accommodation numbers from 10 to 35 babies.

Meanwhile Ndhiwa Sub-County Hospital officially opened its new KES 36.9 million maternal, newborn, and child healthcare (MNCH) unit constructed and equipped by M-PESA Foundation under the Uzazi Salama initiative.

Uzazi Salama, which is being implemented in partnership with AMREF Health Africa, aims to strengthen the capacity of the County to provide quality and affordable reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services. The programme which was launched in 2021 will run for two years with a major focus in Ndhiwa and Suba Sub-Counties benefitting close to 90,000 women and children under 5 years.

“The collaboration with the County Government of Homa Bay and AMREF Health Africa will ensure we reach as many residents as possible especially in remote areas. We are committed to improving maternal and child health in this region because we believe that no mother should lose their child or their life while delivering due to avoidable circumstances and that every baby born is a life we should fight to save,” said, Nicholas Ng’ang’a, Chairperson, M-PESA Foundation.

In Homa Bay County, M-PESA Foundation also has a telemedicine program known as Daktari Smart that is providing specialist care in remote areas. The Foundation is also constructing a 65-bed maternal unit in Migori County in partnership with Kenya Relief.

Based on the most current government statistics from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, the country records 362 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births made. This is above the global target, which according to the Sustainable Development Goal (3), should be less than 70 deaths for every 100,000 live births.

A Situation Assessment Report done in 2014 by the UNFPA found that 15 out of 47 counties in Kenya accounted for 98.7% of the total maternal deaths in the country with 583 in 100,000 mothers dying every year while giving birth in Homabay alone.

AMREF Health Africa

Free Fistula Camp in Kiambu County Hosted by M-PESA Foundation and Partners to Support More Than 100 Women

Safaricom Boosts Maternal Healthcare In Homa Bay County