State to boost health for all, says Mugo

By Peter Orengo

The Government will increase the number of medical workers and develop infrastructure to ensure improved access to health services.

Public Health Minister Beth Mugo yesterday unveiled a blue print that will help achieve Millennium Development Goals on health ahead of the 2015 deadline.

Government will also increase the proportion of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic from 88 per cent to 92 per cent, deliveries by skilled attendants from 42 per cent to 44 per cent and maternity facilities from 40 per cent to 43 per cent.

"This means that over half of pregnant women will be attended to at child birth by skilled persons," said Ms Mugo.

She said only 28 per cent of women receive skilled care within the first four hours after delivery leading to deaths. The minister said cultural practices such as female genital mutilation make child bearing difficult for mothers.

Adolescent births

She said negligence by men also contributed to deaths of mothers and newborns.

"Kenyan men only participate minimally in the reproductive process and leave women to carry this burden alone. This is especially serious in rural areas," said Mugo.

She said the new road map will see increase in the use of contraceptives, reduction in adolescent births, and easy access to health facilities.

The project is expected to cost 15 per cent of the budget as stipulated by several international conventions of which Kenya is a signatory.

Public Health PS Mark Bor said safe motherhood is a human rights issue that is addressed by the new laws. "With the passing of the new Constitution, Kenyans can now wave the document in the face of the Government to ensure it meets its obligation," said Mr Bor.