Governors push for action on maternal, newborn death reviews

The Council of Governors (CoG) has urged greater accountability in county health systems, emphasizing the need to transform maternal and newborn death reviews into practical strategies to prevent unnecessary fatalities. This demand was expressed during a side event prior to the 8th Kenya Association of Maternal and Perinatal Health Practitioners (KAMMP) Annual Scientific Conference in Mombasa on October 8, 2026.

The gathering, themed "From Pregnancy to Childhood: Advancing Health Across the Life Course," convened county officials, Ministry of Health representatives, healthcare workers, medical students, Muslim scholars, community leaders, and development partners.

Key issues under discussion included deficiencies in maternal and newborn healthcare, such as shortages in essential medications and blood, retention of healthcare professionals, shortcomings in referral systems, and accountability for executing recommendations from death reviews. Notable attendees included Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Shariff Nassir, who presides over the CoG Health Committee, and Lamu Governor Issa Timamy.

A significant emphasis was placed on transitioning death reviews into actionable steps, bolstering accountability, enhancing healthcare worker retention, guaranteeing the availability of critical medications and blood supplies, and improving inter-county referrals. A crucial aspect of the initiative involves collaborating with Muslim scholars, religious leaders, and local communities to overcome social and cultural hurdles that deter women and newborns from receiving timely medical care, especially in arid and semi-arid regions (ASAL) counties.

The outcomes of the conference included commitments to incorporate MPDSR findings into county health plans and financial allocations, fostering a blame-free learning environment among medical staff, and intensifying engagement with communities and faith-based organizations. All identified gaps resulting from death reviews were pledged to be followed by specific actions aimed at enhancing care quality and averting future deaths.

This meeting underscores ongoing initiatives to enhance maternal and newborn health services through improved coordination among county governments, healthcare providers, and communities. The Council of Governors, via the Inter-County MPDSR Initiative, aims to leverage death-review insights to inform decisions, fortify health systems, and expedite enhancements in maternal and newborn health metrics.

The initiative's message is unequivocal: each identified shortcoming must result in concrete actions to safeguard the lives of women and newborns.