COUNTY RE-LAUNCHES IMARISHA AFYA YA MAMA NA MTOTO PROGRAMME

Imarisha Afya ya Mama na Mtoto Programme was initiated by the County Government of Kakamega in 2014, with technical support from UNICEF, to address the then high maternal and child mortality rates in Kakamega.

The Programme that is designed as a social protection programme is aimed at improving key health outcomes amongst the poorest and most vulnerable pregnant women, mothers and young children from the County which include uptake of antenatal care, skilled delivery, post natal care in health facilities and nutrition of children among others.

Kakamega Governor H.E Hon. Dr. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya Thursday officiated a redesign exercise to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness coupled with an upgrade of the Management Information System used for registering beneficiaries and implementing the ammended County Maternal Child Health and Family Planning Act 2021.

In his speech during the ocassion, Governor Oparanya said the redesign will ensure inclusion of a strong administrative structure in the Programme from the grassroots to the top and called for full integration of Family planning, Community Health Services, Nutrition, as well as Social Welfare of mothers and children into the Programme.

“This relaunch will also see an expanded number of health facilities offering Oparanya Care programme from 25 to 39,” he noted and advised the beneficiaries to embrace family planning as a way of controlling pregnancy. So far the programme has 61,000 registered mothers and over 26,000 beneficiaries.

Deputy Governor Prof. Philip Museve Kutima said Imarisha Afya ya Mama na Mtoto is one of the most successful Programmes in the County that has reduced the mortality rates of mother and child.

UNICEF representative Madam Wangui Karanja observed that her organization supported the Programme due to their shared vision, together with the County Goverment of Kakamega, of reducing mother and child mortality rates during birth through uptake of antenatal care and skilled delivery in health facilities

The event was also attended by Members of County Assembly led by Hon. John Musilwa the Vice Chairman Health Committee, CECMs, Vice Chair County Public Service Board Ambrose Subai, County Secretary and Head of Public Service Amb. James Ochami and Chief Officers among others