Safe water key to maternal health, says Youth Affairs CS Sicily Kariuki

The CS for Youth and Gender affairs Sicily Kariuki (L) has a word with participants during the 1st Women in Water and sanitation conference at Sawela Lodge in Naivasha. She said that the only way of reducing the high maternal deaths in the country is through improving access to water and sanitation to expectant mothers. (PHOTO: ANTONY GITONGA/ STANDARD)

Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has said improving access to water and sanitation is key to addressing high maternal deaths. She said providing expectant mothers with basic health services and accurate hygiene information will help reduce such needless deaths.

"Emerging evidence suggests that giving birth in a setting without safe drinking water or sanitation has a negative impact on the health and survival of both mother and baby," Ms Kariuki said.
She said lack of safe water and sanitation causes up to 50 per cent under-nutrition worldwide.