First Lady calls on Kenyans to support 'Beyond Zero' campaign

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta with new mothers during a tour of the neo-natal ward of Kenyatta National Hospital in February. [PHOTO: FILE/GOVEDI ASUTSA]

By James Mwambai

London, UK (PSCU): First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called on Kenyans of goodwill and other well-wishers to support the campaign in order to achieve the goal of saving mothers and children following her participation in the 2014 London Marathon.

The First Lady, who together with her team completed the race in a time of 7.04:29, will continue to focus on reaching the target of the ‘Beyond Zero’ campaign to make sure it delivers on the expected objective of availing quality health care to mothers and children.

In her speech during the Standard Chartered Group reception in London last week, the First Lady said: “The experience of childbirth for many women is one filled with fear, pain, sorrow and even death. Should they survive the delivery, they are frightened that their baby is going to die, that their baby will not make it past the first few weeks of its life or even their first day. It breaks my heart knowing that these mothers and children do not have to suffer or die.”

As a mother herself to three children, the First Lady says she clearly understands the desperate situation many Kenyan women and children face in accessing basic and quality health care.

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A World Bank report states that out of every 100,000 live births in the developing world, 360 mothers die.

The report further said that out of 1,000 children under the age of five, 73 children will never make it. The same report gives a grimmer picture, saying in 2012 alone, 100,000 children under the age of five died. These deaths, according to the report, are largely as a result of pregnancy and HIV related complications that are preventable.

It is for this reason that the First Lady at age 50, decided to participate in the 42 KM London Marathon.

Her determination and devotion to create awareness and raise funds for this cause is due to the ever increasing need for women and children to access quality health care.

Through this initiative the First Lady intends to raise over Sh500 million to purchase 47 mobile clinics for all the counties to reduce maternal and child mortality. The campaign also seeks to prevent and reduce mother to child HIV transmission.

Ed's note: For more information on the Beyond Zero campaign, go to www.beyondzero.or.ke