Hundreds of expectant mothers at risk as Gov't stops maternity funding for level two hospitals

Hundreds of expectant mothers in rural areas are at risk due to a decision by the Ministry of Health to stop funding deliveries at level two facilities and clinics.

The Council of Governors (CoG) says the move has already led to a drop in the number of women giving birth in health facilities across the country.

At least 924 mothers and 10,000 newborns have lost their lives in various hospitals since the start of the year.

The CoG is questioning the Ministry of Health's decision to stop reimbursing maternal deliveries at the dispensary level, citing claims by the ministry that such facilities lack adequate beds and admission capacity.

Governors argue that for many mothers, especially those in rural and remote areas, dispensaries remain the only accessible health facilities for delivery.

“One of the reasons why I engaged SHA and the CS is that officially dispensaries are not supposed to be inpatient. You can fake any other disease, but I don’t see anyone faking pregnancy because there is a product visible, a baby and a happy mother,” Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki stated.

“Dispensary in Mandera at the border of Ethiopia in the north is Aga Khan and Nairobi Hospital of Mandera. Now, when you deny deliveries at dispensaries and health centres, we are not progressing; actually, we are retrogressing,” Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif noted. 

Speaking during the launch of the inter-county maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response initiative, commonly known as MPDSR, the Governors called on the ministry to stop politicizing SHA and ensure timely and full disbursement of claims.

“What we did this financial year, we invested more in equipping our hospitals hoping that the money and resources we generate will support us in these issues. But when a county referral receives Ksh.1.2 million in disbursement, then you can imagine what we are looking at,” Governor Khalif pointed out.

The latest statistics show that Kenya loses 5,680 mothers and 33,600 newborns every year, numbers that health experts say remain unacceptably high even as the country continues to make strides in maternal health.

The Ministry of Health says there is no directive to stop reimbursing maternity deliveries in any facility, regardless of level.

It, however, noted that level two facilities are not licensed to provide inpatient services under the KMPDC regulations, specifically the KEPH standards, and must invest in upgrading their infrastructure.

The ministry says it is working with SHA and KMPDC to define provisions that would allow for deliveries to take place where need is determined, especially in counties that have low facility densities.

The inter-county MPDSR will help in monitoring and collaborative response to maternal and neonatal deaths across counties.