By Timothy Nzai | February 25, 2026
Kenya is intensifying efforts to prevent maternal and newborn deaths from avoidable causes. The government is improving basic healthcare services and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure that every citizen has access to essential care.
Speaking at the Gala Dinner of the 4th International Symposium on Streptococcus agalactiae Disease (ISSAD 2026) in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to keeping mothers and babies safe. She emphasized that illness prevention is a central part of the national strategy.
The government is enhancing maternal and newborn services by strengthening care at hospitals and clinics, improving disease surveillance, expanding laboratory testing, and extending healthcare access to local communities.
Muthoni called for closer collaboration among health partners, urging all stakeholders to leverage scientific research to implement practical solutions that save lives. She stressed that mothers and children should always have the best opportunity for good health, and achieving this goal requires collective effort, commitment, and innovative approaches to make care both accessible and effective for all Kenyans.
