This archive report was first published on 17 October 2019.
October 17, 2019, marked a day when Kenya's health sector was reminded of the importance of teamwork and innovation in reducing maternal mortality. The country's maternal mortality rate stands at 362 deaths per 100,000 deliveries, a far cry from the Nordic countries' four deaths per 100,000 deliveries, as per 2015 WHO statistics.
According to the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 3.1, Kenya aims to reduce maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 deliveries by 2030. However, efforts to achieve this goal have been slow, and the health sector is in dire need of a new approach.
Dr. Edward Omete, a medical professional, drew inspiration from Eliud Kipchoge's historic INEOS 1:59 marathon challenge. He noted that the success of the challenge was largely due to the precision and teamwork of the communication, technical, and pacesetting teams.
The doctor observed that the communications team effectively disseminated information about the challenge, while the technical team devised a clever pacesetting strategy that protected Eliud from wind resistance and allowed him to maintain a consistent pace.
Dr. Omete drew parallels between the INEOS 1:59 challenge and the health sector's efforts to reduce maternal mortality. He emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach, involving government support, innovation, and collaboration between different stakeholders.
The doctor also highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making, citing the use of performance timings and live feedback to adjust strategies and improve outcomes.
