Sh4bn released for free maternity care

Sh4 billion has been released for free maternity care in public health centres countrywide.

Director of Medical Services Francis Kimani Thursday said the Treasury had also released Sh1 billion for the first quarter, April to June, to buy additional equipment such as delivery beds and incubators.

He said this was meant to cope with the expected increase in the number of expectant mothers seeking maternity care.

Speaking to the Nation, Dr Kimani said: “In order to cope with the increased workload, Sh3.6 billion has been set aside to hire 7,500 additional health workers during the next financial year.”

He said the introduction of free maternity services would reduce maternal deaths, which currently stand at 488 per 100,000 deliveries.

“This move by President Uhuru Kenyatta will improve maternal health as most mothers will now deliver under skilled care. It will also lead to a reduction in birth-related complications such as haemorrhage and obstructed labour,” Dr Kimani said.

He urged leaders to improve infrastructure and road networks in their respective counties to enable mothers to access the public health facilities with ease.

And in a circular dated June 1, Cabinet Secretary for Health James Macharia says every health centre and dispensary will be reimbursed Sh2,500 per delivery while hospitals will receive Sh5,000 per delivery from his ministry.

“The health centres and dispensaries will be reimbursed for the loss of users’ fees and maternity charges through the Hospital Sector Services Fund and hospitals through the Hospital Management Service Fund”.

Following President Kenyatta’s directive, all maternity deliveries, including Caesarean sections, in all public health hospitals will now be offered free of any charges.