Barasa unveils Sh80 million maternal health initiative

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa when he launched the Sh80 million the Imarisha Afya ya Mama na Mtoto at Bukhungu Stadium. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Expectant women are set to benefit from the Sh80 million Kakamega County Imarisha Mama na Mtoto project dubbed 'Barasa Care'.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa noted that the programme's launch reaffirms the county government's commitment to improving the quality of maternal, newborn, and child health services in Kakamega County.

"We strive to ensure that our mothers attend all antenatal care clinics during pregnancy, deliver in our hospitals with the help of skilled healthcare workers, and that they get quality postnatal care after delivery," said Barasa.

Barasa was speaking at Bukhungu Stadium when he launched the Barasa Care Programme which has been budgeted for at the cost of Sh80 million for the 2024/2025 financial year.

In the programme, mothers will receive a total of Sh12,000 which will be spread across six services received by registered mothers.

"With this programme, our mothers who are registered will be eligible to receive Sh2,000 at every stage of their ante-natal and post-natal milestones. During your 4th antenatal clinic visit you will receive your stipend of Sh2000," he said.

Further, mothers who will deliver their children in county health facilities will get another Sh2000, later when they take the baby for immunisation at 4 to 6 weeks after delivery, they will also get Sh2,000.

Barasa added that during immunisations at 6 months, 9 months, and 18 months respectively, the women will also get Sh2,000 for every visit.

"This gives a total cash transfer of Sh12,000 to every registered mother. We will also ensure that our babies receive all the vaccines required, right from the oral polio vaccine immediately after birth until the second measles vaccine at 18 months," he said.

Governor Barasa said 80 per cent of Kakamega women are delivering in various health services across the county stating that the programme aims at achieving 100 per cent delivery in the hospital and reducing maternal death.

Barasa also opposed the move to have a Health commission stating that the move would be a clawback to progress achieved under devolution arguing that counties have capacity to run the health sector.

Last year the county entered into a partnership to enhance the delivery wards for expectant mothers as part of the Tutunze Kakamega Service Delivery Redesign strategy.

"The strategy simply aims to provide medical attention to mothers as soon as possible so they don't go through difficult times," said Barasa.

Under the partnership, Barasa's administration commissioned a third maternal health care in the Lugari sub-county after the Malava and Butere sub-counties which aimed to give expectant mothers effective services.

"Through the partnership, the county received Sh223 million for phase one, 40 per cent of which has come to Lugari sub-county. The objective of this initiative is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 in every 100,000 live births," said Barasa.

Health and Medical Services CEC Dr Benard Wesonga added that there are also plans to ensure all girls above the age of nine years get the HPV vaccine to protect them from cervical cancer.

Wesonga acknowledged the role played by County Health Promoters and other Ministry of Health staff in providing maternal and child health services.

"I want to appreciate our CHPs for the work including providing timely health information and education to our mothers. They also screen our mothers for hypertension, malaria, high blood sugars, and HIV; and provide nutrition guidance," Wesonga said.