{
  "id": 1977028,
  "title": "First Lady Rachel Ruto hails Ksh12.2B push to cut maternal, newborn deaths",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/first-lady-rachel-ruto-hails-ksh12-2b-push-to-cut-maternal-newborn",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-19T17:03:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/first-lady-rachel-ruto-hails-ksh12-2b-push-to-cut-maternal-newborn-deaths/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "First Lady Rachel Ruto praised the joint efforts of national and county governments in reducing maternal and newborn deaths, emphasizing that increased investment, improved health systems and better healthcare workers are making a difference across Kenya. Speaking at the Kenya Health Summit 2026 in Nairobi, she stressed the importance of strong collaboration between government levels to ensure women and newborns receive quality healthcare. Ruto honored healthcare workers for their role in improving maternal and newborn survival, stating that meaningful policies, investments and empowered professionals are essential for saving lives. She introduced the EveryWoman EveryNewbornEverywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan 2026-2028, which aims to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths through leadership, investment and reliable healthcare systems. The First Lady welcomed commitments from the Ministry of Health under the EWENE plan, including expanded maternal healthcare coverage, investment in essential commodities and the recruitment of additional nurses and midwives. Kenya's EWENE framework estimates maternal mortality at 355 deaths per 100,000 live births and neonatal mortality at 21 deaths per 1,000 live births. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale highlighted an unprecedented Ksh12.2 billion government investment in maternal and newborn health, with funds allocated for Level 2 and Level 3 health facilities, life-saving commodities, family planning services and human resources. Governors praised the growing cooperation between national and county governments in strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare, with improvements evident at facilities like Pumwani Maternity Hospital. Health Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth expressed confidence in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals targets for maternal and newborn survival through collective efforts.",
  "summary": "First Lady Rachel Ruto has commended the concerted efforts by the national and county governments to reduce maternal and newborn deaths, saying increased investment, stronger health systems and empowered healthcare workers are beginning to deliver results across the country. She said sustained collaboration between the two levels of government was critical to ensuring that every […] The post…",
  "key_points": [
    "First Lady Rachel Ruto highlights Ksh12.2B investment to reduce maternal, newborn deaths in Kenya.",
    "EWENE Acceleration Plan 2026-2028 aims to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths.",
    "Ksh12.2 billion allocated for Level 2 and Level 3 health facilities and human resources."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}