Maternal and child health needs in Kenya include access to prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, postnatal care, immunisations, clean water, proper nutrition and education on family planning. Additionally, there’s a need for improved healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas, to ensure timely access to quality services.

 

Addressing these needs requires a multi-faceted approach involving government policies, community outreach programs and international cooperation.

 

The gaps in relation to maternal and child health in Kenya include:

• Access to Healthcare Services - Many rural areas lack sufficient healthcare facilities, trained personnel, and basic medical supplies, leading to limited access to maternal and child health services.

• Quality of Care - Even where healthcare services are available, the quality may vary, with some facilities lacking essential equipment, medication and skilled healthcare providers.

• Health Education and Awareness - There’s a need for increased health education and awareness programs, especially in rural and marginalised communities, to promote maternal and child health practices such as prenatal care, breastfeeding and immunisations.

• Nutrition - Malnutrition remains a significant issue, particularly among pregnant women and children, due to food insecurity, poverty, and lack of education about proper nutrition.

• Childhood Diseases - Despite progress in immunisation coverage, preventable childhood diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria continue to contribute to child morbidity and mortality, highlighting the need for sustained efforts in vaccination programs and healthcare infrastructure improvement.

 

So how does WENDO address these issues?

 

WENDO continues to contribute to improving access to quality healthcare especially for pregnant and lactating women and children below 5 years.

 

We will provide access to information to young women and girls on sexual and reproductive health rights and will provide access to medical care to vulnerable women and children. We will always provide access to maternal and child health care and will provide knowledge to the community health workers on basic health care.