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UNFPA and Britam Foundation Partner to Improve Maternal and Newborn Health
A New Push to Save Lives
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, has partnered with Britam Foundation to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
Specifically, the initiative will target vulnerable communities in Kwale County and Nairobi.
At the centre of this effort is the Lea Salama Programme. Notably, the programme aims to expand access to life-saving care for pregnant women and newborns. In particular, it focuses on underserved rural areas and informal urban settlements, where healthcare gaps remain most visible.
A Persistent Maternal Health Crisis
Although Kenya has made progress in maternal healthcare, serious challenges still remain.
Currently, an estimated 15 mothers and 92 newborns die each day from preventable causes. As a result, the national maternal mortality ratio stands at 355 deaths per 100,000 live births.
In Kwale County, the burden is even higher, reaching 431 deaths per 100,000 live births. Meanwhile, Nairobi reports relatively better outcomes. However, deep inequalities still affect low-income and densely populated communities.
Therefore, gaps in emergency obstetric and newborn services continue to cost lives.
Strengthening Health Systems
To address these challenges, the partnership will strengthen county health systems.
First, the programme will upgrade 20 high-volume health facilities across Kwale and Nairobi. In addition, it will equip them to deliver quality maternal and newborn care.
At the same time, the initiative will train healthcare workers in emergency obstetric and newborn care. Moreover, it will introduce technologies such as point-of-care ultrasound to support early detection and timely intervention.
Together, these efforts aim to improve both access and quality of care.
UNFPA and Britam Foundation Partner to Improve Maternal and Newborn Health
A Community-Led Approach
Equally important, the initiative will prioritize community engagement.
For instance, it will equip community health promoters with tools and training to strengthen outreach. As a result, more families will access essential maternal and newborn health services.
Ultimately, this approach ensures that solutions reach the people who need them most.
Voices from the Partnership
According to Dr. Pilar de la Corte Molina, UNFPA Deputy Representative to Kenya, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving outcomes.
Furthermore, she noted that the Britam Foundation brings a strong prevention-first model that can help close existing gaps.
Similarly, Catherine Karita, Executive Director of the Britam Foundation, emphasised the broader impact of the initiative.
“When a mother survives childbirth and a newborn thrives, we strengthen families,” she said. “In turn, we build more resilient communities for the future.”
A Scalable Model for Kenya
Looking ahead, the Lea Salama Programme has the potential to expand beyond the initial counties.
In fact, it offers a practical and scalable model for other regions across Kenya. More importantly, it demonstrates how public-private partnerships can accelerate progress in maternal and newborn health.
If implemented successfully, it could serve as a blueprint for national impact.
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