OPINION: Moving forward and strengthening Kenya’s postpartum haemorrhage response

Every day in Kenya, mothers die from complications that could have been prevented. Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains the leading cause of maternal death, taking lives that are entirely within our power to save.

Every preventable death is a call to act, not just a statistic. Kenya is taking decisive steps to change this.

As the International Maternal Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC 2026) convenes in Nairobi from March 23–26 under the theme “Moving Forward,” the country is demonstrating how strategic planning and coordinated action can transform maternal and newborn health outcomes.

At the heart of our response is the Postpartum Hemorrhage Costed Implementation and Scale-Up Plan (PPH CIP)—a national roadmap designed to turn strategy into action.

The PPH CIP identifies priority interventions, estimates the number of health facilities and providers to reach, assigns responsibilities, and establishes monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

It details essential health products and technologies, outlines financial requirements, and provides guidance for stakeholders at both national and county levels.

This plan is not just policy—it is a lifeline for mothers across the country. Ensuring facilities are equipped, providers are trained, and systems are in place can mean the difference between life and death.

Real progress in maternal and newborn health happens when decision makers are engaged, systems work together, and frontline providers are equipped - turning coordination into accountability and action into impact. The PPH CIP brings this principle to life.

By aligning government leadership, donor support, and county-level implementation, Kenya is ensuring that interventions—from training healthcare teams to improving supply chains and health information systems—are carefully planned, monitored, and sustained.

This approach strengthens the entire maternal and newborn care system while ensuring equitable access across all counties.

Why is this critical now?

Maternal and newborn health remains a global priority, and IMNHC 2026’s theme, “Moving Forward,” challenges countries to translate commitments into measurable results. Kenya is showing that action is possible, but it requires leadership, resources, and collective commitment.

As global leaders gather in Nairobi this week, Kenya is not just participating—it is showing what “moving forward” looks like in practice.

The PPH CIP is Kenya’s vehicle for doing exactly that: mobilizing resources, strengthening systems, and saving lives at scale. It applies a continuum-of-care approach, recognizing that preventing maternal deaths requires more than emergency response—it requires strong health systems, skilled providers, essential medicines, and informed communities.

Kenya’s strategy focuses on coordinated action: strengthening leadership, improving data quality, ensuring reliable access to lifesaving medicines, and supporting healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care.

For a mother experiencing severe bleeding, these elements can mean the difference between life and death. This is why every policy decision and every investment matters.

By integrating these efforts into a unified national plan, the country is demonstrating that collaboration, evidence-based planning, and strategic resource allocation can drive real, measurable improvements in maternal and newborn health.

As IMNHC brings together global experts and policymakers, Kenya’s PPH CIP serves as a model of moving forward. It proves that maternal deaths are preventable when action is prioritized and resources are mobilized. 

It also sends a clear message: preventing maternal deaths is not a question of possibility—it is a question of priority. We must act now—leaders, partners, and donors —to ensure no mother dies from PPH unnecessarily.

It is a call to partners, donors, and government leaders: with commitment, coordination, and resources, maternal deaths can be prevented, newborn survival improved, and health systems strengthened for generations to come. The opportunity—and responsibility—to act is now.

The writer, Michael Muthamia, is a Senior Regional Program Advisor, Jhpiego