Maternal and newborn mortality in Kenya is increasingly being framed as a governance challenge rather than purely a clinical one. At the 50th Council of Governors Annual Summit (#KOGSAT50), the Council of Governors, in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, brought together leaders, clinicians, and partners to discuss strategies for accelerating the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system across counties.
The summit emphasized that strong leadership at county level ensures health systems respond effectively, translating recommendations into measurable improvements in outcomes. Governors are now embedding MPDSR within county accountability structures and personally engaging in review processes, ensuring weekly MPDSR meetings foster a non-punitive learning environment.
Key resolutions included strengthening referral systems, guaranteeing availability of essential commodities and blood products, investing in a skilled and motivated health workforce, and improving the quality and timeliness of maternal and newborn health data. These actions aim to guide evidence-based planning and resource allocation, ensuring interventions reach the women and newborns who need them most.
The Mombasa Declaration underscores the role of leadership in aligning health systems so that no mother or newborn is left behind. With these deliberate steps, Kenya’s national and county governments aim not only to reduce mortality but to ensure that every mother and newborn thrives.
, the Council of Governors, in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, brought together leaders, clinicians, and partners to discuss strategies for accelerating the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system across counties.){kind=link}
8j9t35