Obstetric care equipment worth sh1.4 billion from the Global Fund will be distributed in 35 counties. The Kenya Red Cross, delivered the equipment to the Ministry of Health on 7th March 2017 as part of Global Fund grant to Kenya for health systems strengthening component.
The equipment will be distributed to 1,800 health facilities in 35 counties of high HIV prevalence rate.
The equipment were delivered by, Global Fund chief of staff Dr. Mariike Wijnroks, and were received by the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Jackson Kioko, on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary at a brief ceremony at Afya House.
Dr, Kioko said the equipment will support the provision of high quality, essential maternal and obstetric services, and contribute to reduction and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. The initiative and support from the Global Fund has provided much needed boost to Kenya’s effort to accelerate the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality in Kenya he added.
The first batch of the equipment worth sh310 million was procured and distributed in 2014 to 480 health facilities in 27 counties in the high and medium clusters of HIV prevalence based on the Kenya HIV Estimate Assessment Report 2013.The second batch of equipment benefited an additional 8 counties with high maternal mortality rates.
The current delivery is the third and final batch of procurement under the grant comprises theatre, maternity and laboratory equipment. Distribution, installation and training is expected to be done in May 2017.