By Timothy Nzai | February 24, 2026
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, has officially inaugurated the National Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Steering Committee, underscoring the government’s commitment to reducing preventable deaths among mothers and newborns in Kenya. The initiative aligns with the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals and the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan, emphasizing that no woman or newborn should die from avoidable causes.
Speaking at the launch, CS Duale explained that the MPDSR system will operate at health facility, sub-county, and county levels. Regularly organized review meetings will assess each reported maternal or newborn death, with immediate actions taken to address identified gaps and strengthen the health system. The goal is to ensure that every case provides practical lessons for future improvements.
Data from these reviews will help the government address ongoing challenges in the health sector, including weaknesses in emergency maternity services, referral systems, blood supply shortages, insufficient medical supplies, and health worker deficits. Findings will inform policy reforms, improved funding allocations, and enhanced coordination across the healthcare system.
Key steps to support the program were also announced. The Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Digital Health Agency (DHA) have been directed to facilitate maternity payments for approved Level 2 and Level 3 facilities, making skilled delivery more affordable. The maternity benefits package is under review to align with national guidelines, while ambulance referral and blood transfusion services are being strengthened. Counties have been encouraged to recruit and retain more healthcare professionals.
The launch was attended by senior government officials and representatives from UNFPA, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization, all of whom are actively supporting maternal and newborn health initiatives in Kenya.
