Healthcare failures fuel maternal, infant deaths, warns experts

Africa CDC warns that systemic healthcare inefficiencies are costing mothers and infants their lives. [Fiie Courtesy] Health experts have cited inefficiencies as the main contributor to poor health systems in Africa, leading to poor maternal and newborn outcomes and deaths. Director General of the Africa CDC Jean Kaseya said the continent should find solutions to issues ailing the healthcare system. At least 40 per cent of resources in the continent are lost because of inefficiencies and wastages, he said, emphasising that Africa is not a poor continent. "Africa lacks a planning process, a proper agenda and has ghost workers. These inefficiencies are what we should fix," said Dr Kaseya. The official maintained that to avoid inefficiencies, there is a need to adapt to digital innovation. He regretted that during the stop-work order signed by US President Donald Trump, countries like Kenya lost its heath data, as the system was fully funded by USAID, whose support came to an end. "A country like Kenya, when USAID funds stopped, it wasn't just about money; data disappeared," said the Africa CDC boss. The African continent, he said, should move from dependency to self-reliance, more so with a dwindling donor support, to uphold African sovereignty. "We need a leader of conviction and who can walk us far to make agenda forward because we must deliver now," said the official. Kaseya spoke yesterday during the official opening of the International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC), 2026, held in Nairobi, which brought together at least 1,800 delegates from more than 87 countries. The conference was officially opened by Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale. He regretted that cases of maternal, newborns and stillbirth in the continent are lacking. "Africa is facing its own defining moments, and we are confronted with maternal and neonatal deaths. Every hour, we are losing 20 women, 114 newborns and 300 under-fives. Why are we losing out on others and children, it ain't ain't a health issue?" posed Kaseya. To end the deaths, he said, "It's a justice issue, it's a development issue and a more sovereignty issue." African states, he said, must ensure every woman can have access to skilled birth care before, during and after live births. Additionally, the continent, he said, needs to ensure financial protection for every month. What are we doing for social protection? We cannot accept women dying because they cannot afford the fare. To ensure access and consistent supply of medicines and commodities to boost maternal and newborn health, the continent, he said, should manufacture drugs like carbetocin. The drugs are key in preventing excessive bleeding (postpartum haemorrhage), a leading cause of death in women at birth. The sentiments were echoed by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who said there is a need for the continent to move to commitment and sustain investments under Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In Kenya, there have been initiatives to ensure every newborn has access to healthcare without financial hardships through the adoption of social health insurance. "Skilled birth access has increased, and immunisation has increased. These gains are real, as much as it's not enough," said Duale, in reference to Kenya. According to the CS, at least 30,981,000 Kenyans have registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA), using a mobile phone app dubbed Afyayangu, an initiative that guarantees access to healthcare regardless of their financial status. "Access to services in level 2 and 3, fully paid for by the government, particularly for maternal and newborn services, a move that has increased access to care," said the CS. Duale added, "Financial protection through social health authority shows improved ANC and skilled delivery among underserved groups. Our progress is enforced by broader national investments." Digital infrastructure and telemedicine, he added, have improved healthcare. However, even with the achievement, Duale regretted that maternal mortality and newborn deaths and still births have persisted in Kenya, with at least 15 mothers and 92 newborns dying every day. The deaths, he said, are not only being reported in Kenya, but globally, more so in middle and low-income countries. "We must act decisively. To our healthcare workers, every mother who survives, every newborn thrives. To our communities, maternal abd child health is a national priority and agenda" He observed the need to adopt the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) to boost maternal and child health, not only in Kenya, but across the continent and globe. The EWENE initiative, guided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to reduce maternal and newborn deaths, has been adopted by respective countries, including Kenya. In Kenya, Duale said, because health is a devolved function, counties need to handle unique realities that affect them through ownership, adaptation and accountability to boost maternal and child health. Kenya is also rolling out the Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) to boost the healthcare system. The initiative looks at urgency and focuses on results and measurable changes where it matters. On digitalisation, Duale said Kenya adopted a digital superhighway, which helps the ministry access data on how many women have delivered every single hour, any maternal challenges and deaths, data that enhances solutions. With a drop in donor support, Duale said there is a need for sustainable domestic funding, strong partnership working with development partners, expanding access to emergency, obstetric and newborn care, managing PPH, adoption of resilient health workforce, a strong commodity chain, and digital transformation. Also present during the opening of the conference was PS Public Health Mary Muthoni, who said, "Every mother's life saved and every newborn is a victory to humanity and what's possible when compassion and leaders come together."

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