Kenya launches EWENE Acceleration Plan 2026 to reduce maternal mortality

KENYA—Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga has presided over the handover of electric obstetric beds and other life-saving maternal health equipment at Madiany Sub-County Hospital in Siaya County.

The equipment forms part of a nationwide distribution programme under the Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere (EWENE) campaign, a government-led initiative aimed at reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths nationwide.

Through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and the WHO, 108 electric obstetric beds and essential maternal health commodities valued at KSh43 million (US$331,000) are being distributed to 45 health facilities across 11 priority counties.

The equipment is expected to enhance emergency obstetric and newborn care services, particularly in areas that continue to face a high burden of maternal and neonatal mortality.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Dr. Oluga said the investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving health outcomes for mothers and newborns while advancing Universal Health Coverage.

He noted that access to quality healthcare services, financial protection and stronger primary healthcare systems remains central to the country’s health agenda.

He added that modern equipment is critical in helping healthcare workers manage complications during pregnancy and childbirth, which remain among the leading causes of preventable deaths among women and infants.

Strengthening quality and patient safety

Dr. Oluga also highlighted the proposed Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill, describing it as an important framework for raising standards across health facilities.

According to him, the legislation will strengthen accountability, improve patient safety and support continuous quality improvement throughout the healthcare system.

He encouraged health institutions to embrace quality assurance measures that promote safe, effective and people-centred care while ensuring that patients receive services that meet nationally accepted standards.

The Principal Secretary further emphasized the role of economic empowerment in sustaining health financing reforms.

He noted that stable household incomes enable families to contribute consistently to the Social Health Authority (SHA), helping them maintain access to healthcare services when they need them most.

Part of Kenya’s wider EWENE initiative

The distribution comes only days after the Ministry of Health and WHO flagged off the nationwide delivery of maternal health equipment from Nairobi under the EWENE programme.

The initiative forms part of Kenya’s Maternal and Newborn Health Acceleration Plan 2026–2028, which seeks to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths through targeted investments, stronger accountability mechanisms and improved access to quality care.

Recent programme updates indicate that the government and its partners are also investing in workforce training, emergency obstetric care, maternal health commodities and improved health system coordination in high-burden counties.

Under the initiative, Kenya aims to strengthen emergency obstetric and newborn care services, expand access to essential medicines and equipment, and improve the quality of care available to mothers and babies in public health facilities.

The programme is currently being implemented in several counties that account for a significant share of the country’s maternal and newborn deaths.

Those present during the handover included the Siaya County Chief Officer for Health, representatives from the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), Ministry of Health officials from Bondo Sub-County and the management team of Madiany Sub-County Hospital.

The ceremony was attended by the Siaya County Chief Officer for Health, representatives from the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), Ministry of Health officials from Bondo Sub-County, and members of the management team at Madiany Sub-County Hospital.