MoH new protocols on handling maternal, newborns healthcare

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued new guidelines aimed at improving the handling of both maternal and newborns across all health facilities.

MoH says the Basic Obstetric Protocols 2026 have been developed to provide evidence-based, practical guidance to health care professionals at all levels of health service delivery.

The instrument addresses the Big Seven priority conditions in maternal care, namely, Antepartum Haemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage, obstructed/prolonged labor, anaemia in pregnancy, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, sepsis, and abortion complications, which together account for the majority of the maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Kenya.

“The protocols outlined herein reflect the current evidence on best practices in clinical recommendations adapted to our national context, as guided by the National Guidelines on Quality Obstetrics and Perinatal Care, 2024,” Dr Bashir Issack, MoH’s Director of Family Health, states.

According to Dr. Bashir, they are designed for use by health care professionals to ensure standardized, timely, quality health care.

Target populations for these obstetric protocols include national and county health managers, health policy makers, regulators, healthcare providers, researchers, academia, and pre-service training institutions.

“We recommend all healthcare professionals familiarise themselves with these obstetric protocols and apply them consistently in their daily practice. Routine use and application of these protocols will significantly reduce preventable adverse outcomes and contribute to safer childbirth for all women,” he says.

The state says through the MoH, it has made remarkable progress in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes through various interventions, though more investment must be put in place to attain the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Constitution of Kenya 2010 Article 43 1(a), Article 28, and the Health Policy Framework (2014-2030) require the state to offer the highest quality attainable standard of health and be responsive to the needs of the Kenyan citizens.

“Continuous improvement on quality maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services is a priority for the Kenyan government that strives to incorporate/employ evidence-based best practices and actionable interventions by use of timely obstetric protocols,” Dr Bashir adds.

Dr. Edward Serem, Head of the Division of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health, added, “The development of the Basic Obstetrics Protocols 2026 involved in-depth consultations with a wide range of multidisciplinary stakeholders, including specialised and experienced health care professionals, through literature review, consultative meetings, and alignment to the National Guidelines on Quality Obstetrics and Perinatal Care 2024.

The protocol requires medics to take a comprehensive history to identify high-risk patients, such as those with pre-existing and/or newly diagnosed health conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, anaemia, heart disease, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases (like lupus), obesity, or infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis).

Health workers must also review the history of preterm birth, recurrent pregnancy loss, previous caesarean birth and other surgeries, pre-eclampsia, PPH, APH, obstructed labour, stillbirth, or having a child with a genetic or birth defect.

Lifestyle factors such as use of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, malnutrition, GBV, or poor health-seeking behavior, including inadequate prenatal care, and fetal factors such as babies diagnosed with genetic conditions and/or birth defects had to be considered in handling mothers.

“Should the patient exhibit any of the above, the health professional in lower tier facilities should refer the client to a level 4 OR above facility for further assessment,” the protocol states.