This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
Kenya's recent oil export earnings of USD 12 million (Ksh1.2 billion) is a welcome development, but it's crucial that we invest these revenues in basic healthcare, particularly maternal services.
Unfortunately, many pregnant women in Kenya still lack access to safe delivery services, with some giving birth on sidewalks, hospital receptions, and corridors due to financial constraints or inadequate medical resources.
According to the NHIF Linda Mama Initiative, which offers basic healthcare to pregnant mothers throughout their pregnancy, it's unclear why mothers are still paying for delivery services or not taking up the initiative.
One possible solution is to hire mobile community midwives to attend to pregnant mothers in dire need, leveraging mobile phones to ensure efficient care and reduce anxiety about medical bills.
As President Uhuru Kenyatta noted, 'So, I think we have started the journey and it is up to us to ensure that those resources are put to the best use to make our country both prosperous and to ensure we eliminate poverty.'
It's imperative that we prioritize maternal healthcare and allocate a significant portion of our oil revenues to address this critical issue, ensuring that every child has a decent and safe birth.
