West Pokot ramps up maternal health care as over 60% of births still happen at home

More than 60 per cent of deliveries in West Pokot county are done at home without skilled medical assistance.

This has raised concerns about the quality of maternal care in the region.

Governor Simon Kachapin said the county government is taking measures to ensure women have access to quality maternal care.

He said his administration has made deliberate investments in expanding and equipping health facilities.

The county is also constructing additional hospitals with maternity services to improve access for women.

Kachapin spoke while welcoming a high-level delegation of partners supporting the county’s efforts to improve maternal care.

The delegation included top leaders from the M-PESA Foundation, the Flying Doctors Society of Africa, Beyond Zero and Amref Health Africa.

Kachapin said the partnership seeks to address the county’s maternal health statistics, which show that more than 90 new cases of obstetric fistula are reported annually in the region.

He noted that joint efforts by the partners have already recorded significant progress in treating obstetric fistula, a debilitating condition that often results from prolonged, obstructed labour.

So far, 71 patients have been admitted for specialised surgical repair. Of these, 35 surgeries have been successfully completed, while the remaining patients are scheduled for procedures to restore their health and dignity.

Kachapin and his deputy Robert Komolle said access to quality healthcare remains a primary goal of the county government.

“Seeing mothers return home confident, dignified and healthy is the true impact of this partnership,” the governor said.

Kachapin added that, to ensure long-term sustainability, the initiative places emphasis on capacity building within the local healthcare system through continuous staff training.

The partnership has trained 50 healthcare workers in advanced maternal care and fistula identification.

In addition, 300 Community Health Promoters have been trained to enhance early detection and encourage facility-based deliveries.

Health and Sanitation executive Claire Parklea said the efforts are designed to create a referral pipeline to ensure expectant mothers reach hospitals before complications become life-threatening.

Kachapin said his administration has integrated fistula care into routine hospital services by providing the necessary infrastructure, medical personnel and equipment.

Last year, more than 400 healthcare workers across all cadres were recruited in a move aimed at attaining universal healthcare coverage.