By Eddah Waithaka
The Nairobi Hospital empowered more than 300 mothers, expectant mothers, fathers, and nannies with critical knowledge this week through a free training initiative on safe maternal and child care.
Dubbed the “Daddy, Mommy and Baby Fair,” the event equipped trainees with essential information on pregnancy, labour, childbirth, lactation, breastfeeding, immunization, and nutrition.
The program created a safe, inclusive space for families to directly engage with healthcare professionals, ask questions, and participate in interactive sessions that debunked myths and presented facts.
Speaking at the event, The Nairobi Hospital’s Director of Strategy and Innovation, Mr. Nicodemus Odongo, emphasized the broader societal mission.
“We cannot reduce maternal mortality without confronting the myths, fears, and inequalities that surround childbirth,” he stated.
“Events like this show what’s possible when hospitals, communities, and partners come together. Every conversation we spark, every myth we dispel, brings us closer to a future where no woman dies giving life.”
The training addresses a critical need in Kenya, which continues to grapple with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Recent UNICEF data records 530 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. While an 11% improvement from the previous year, this figure remains alarmingly short of the Sustainable Development Goal target of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 by 2030.
Despite significant progress over the past decade, harmful cultural beliefs, stigma surrounding caesarean sections, and dependence on traditional birth attendants still contribute to preventable deaths.
The Nairobi Hospital’s Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Sylvia Mruttu, used the platform to advocate for more robust pre-pregnancy and prenatal care.
“Pregnant women should have at least four antenatal visits,” Dr. Mruttu urged. “These visits are critical for diagnosing existing conditions, assessing risks, and implementing preventive measures in good time.”
Through this initiative, The Nairobi Hospital reinforces its role as a trusted community partner, actively striving to provide quality, accessible healthcare and safeguard the lives of mothers and children across Kenya.
