In line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5, CHS is committed to reducing maternal and child mortality. Through scaling up prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services, human resource for service delivery across CHS supported health facilities, training of health care workers, strengthening community linkages and psychosocial support, CHS aims at ensuring that no child is born with HIV. It is in this spirit that CHS, as an implementing partner, joined Nyeri and Laikipia Counties during the launch of two mobile clinics, an incentive led by the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, Her Excellency Mrs Margaret Kenyatta, through the Beyond Zero Campaign. The CHS team had the opportunity to showcase the organisation’s efforts towards elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV through partnership with health facilities and respective county governments.
The Beyond Zero Campaign
The Beyond Zero campaign aims to promote Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and reduce mother to child transmission of HIV in Kenya. This idea was coined following an observation that despite the measures put in place to meet the MDGs in Kenya, the progress in advancement of maternal and childcare is still slow. The Beyond Zero Foundation was formed in January 2014 to partner with the Government in reducing maternal and child mortality. The First Lady organises annual half-marathons aimed at raising funds to support the campaign, including purchase and equipping of the mobile clinics. First Lady Mrs Kenyatta handed over the 17th and 18th Beyond Zero mobile clinics to the Nyeri County Government at Chaka Grounds on January 20, 2015 and Laikipia County Government at Nanyuki Central Park on January 22, 2015 respectively. The events, which were marked by celebration of the African woman and child, attracted numerous attendees from the health sector and government officials.
Launch of mobile clinic in Nyeri County
At the Nyeri County handover, the First Lady noted that the mobile clinics were filling a vital health service delivery gap by reaching women in the remotest parts of the country. She raised concern over the need to reduce the number of HIV infections in Nyeri County, which currently has a HIV prevalence of 4.4%; a factor brought about by rapid development and urbanisation. As at the end of 2013, 20,797 people were living with HIV; with 9% of these being children. According to Mrs Kenyatta, “This can be contained by scaling up HIV testing and counselling to reduce the risk for those who turn negative, and linking those who are positive to care and treatment programs. Addressing the vices of alcoholism and drug abuse among the youth will also be imperative in reducing the spread of HIV,” she said.
Launch of mobile clinic in Laikipia County
In Laikipia County, the First Lady called upon county government officials to harness energies and resources towards promoting better health care, more so for mothers and children. She also called on counties to follow her example by purchasing similar mobile clinics in order to reach more pregnant women and assure safe delivery. “This will play a significant role in reducing new HIV infections, given that children make up 13% of the 10,324 people living with HIV in the county,” she said.
Leaders’ support of the Campaign
A majority of the leaders seemed to agree on the need for incentives aimed at saving the mother-child pair and called for unity among stakeholders to make this possible. They congratulated the First Lady for her noble act and expressed their commitment to support her initiative, even by running the half-marathon this year. Nyeri Deputy Governor Samuel Wamathai, who received the mobile clinic on behalf of the Governor Nderitu Gachagua, commended the First Lady for steering a worthwhile campaign, noting that it will play a great role in transforming health care in the county. Kieni MP, Hon Kanini Kega called on the national and county governments to work together in achieving national goals including better health care for Kenyans. Laikipia County Governor Hon Joshua Irungu noted that plans were already in place including staffing and a travel schedule to ensure that the mobile clinic is put to use immediately. He also assured the First Lady that he would spearhead the purchase of more mobile clinics.
Call to participate in the 2015 half marathon At both events, the First Lady was thankful to Kenyans for supporting the Beyond Zero cause to assure better health for mothers and children. She also took the opportunity to invite participants to the annual First Lady’s half marathon on March 8, 2014, to raise more money to buy more clinics and thus further propel the Beyond Zero Campaign.
CHS support in Nyeri and Laikipia County
CHS is proud to be a partner to both Nyeri and Laikipia counties in saving the lives of mothers and children. CHS currently supports a total of 72 facilities for PMTCT in Nyeri and Laikipia counties including Nyeri Provincial General Hospital in Nyeri County and Nyandarua District Hospital in Laikipia County. Other forms of support to these facilities include support for HIV counselling and testing, HIV care and treatment, laboratory and pharmacy support, TB management, community and psychosocial training, training and mentorship, infrastructural support and human resource support.