Makueni County has become the first county in Kenya to pilot a maternal nutrition programme aimed at improving the health of expectant mothers and reducing complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
The initiative was officially launched by Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and Howard Schiffer, who flagged off 7,200 bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for distribution to selected health facilities across the county.
Each bottle contains 180 tablets and forms part of a pilot programme designed to improve maternal and child health outcomes among vulnerable populations. The supplements will be supplied continuously to participating facilities for the next four years, with plans already underway to expand the programme to more health centres across the county.
The beneficiaries include Makueni County Referral Hospital, Matiliku, Makindu, Kibwezi, Sultan Hamud, Kilungu and Mbooni sub-county hospitals, as well as Tulimani, Ngwata, Kathyaka and Kathozweni health centres together with Mwaani and Malili dispensaries.
The programme is being implemented through a partnership involving Vitamin Angels, International Development Enterprise and Helen Keller International.
Speaking during the launch at the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital, Schiffer praised the county government for taking deliberate steps to support women who face nutritional challenges during pregnancy, particularly those from economically disadvantaged households.
He noted that many vulnerable mothers often lack access to adequate nutrition and healthcare support, making interventions such as micronutrient supplementation critical in safeguarding the health of both mothers and their unborn children.
“Today, the county government, healthcare workers and community health volunteers are standing together to support women who often lack the resources and opportunities needed to address nutritional challenges during pregnancy,” said Schiffer.
He emphasized that investing in maternal nutrition was an investment in the future, adding that every child deserves an opportunity to be born healthy and thrive.
“We want to ensure that every child has a chance to enjoy a healthy life and a brighter future. This programme represents hope for many families,” he added.
Vitamin Angels Africa Technical Director Lucy Kanya said the initiative is expected to significantly reduce cases of premature births and low birth weight among newborns while improving the overall well-being of mothers.
According to Dr. Kanya, the micronutrient supplements will also play a key role in addressing maternal anaemia, a condition that continues to affect many pregnant women and contributes to poor pregnancy outcomes.
She described the intervention as both a global solution and an equalizer that would help bridge healthcare disparities affecting vulnerable women.
“The decision by Makueni County to introduce these supplements is a major step towards addressing maternal anaemia and improving maternal and child health outcomes,” said Dr. Kanya.
She added that the programme would have a long-lasting impact on families and communities by ensuring healthier pregnancies and better outcomes for future generations.
“This is a transformational investment whose benefits will extend far beyond the current generation,” she remarked.
Governor Mutula said the county administration remains committed to strengthening healthcare services and introducing interventions that directly address the challenges facing residents.
He acknowledged that a large proportion of Makueni residents depend on public health facilities and therefore deserve access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
The governor observed that families often face emotional and financial strain when caring for premature babies and children born with nutrition-related complications.
According to him, the introduction of the micronutrient supplements is expected to reduce such cases by improving maternal nutrition during pregnancy.
“Expectant mothers who receive these supplements are more likely to give birth to healthier babies, reducing the burden of treating malnutrition and other complications associated with poor maternal nutrition,” said Mutula.
He noted that teenage mothers, who are particularly vulnerable to complications arising from pregnancy, stand to benefit significantly from the programme.
The governor further highlighted recent advancements in healthcare services within the county, revealing that medical facilities are now better equipped to handle life-threatening maternal and child health conditions.
He cited the availability of heat-stable carbetocin, a medication used to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth, as one of the major improvements in maternal healthcare.
Mutula also noted that county hospitals have enhanced their capacity to manage hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by excessive fluid accumulation in a child’s brain.
He said such interventions demonstrate the county’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes and ensuring that residents have access to lifesaving medical services closer to home.
The micronutrient supplementation programme is expected to serve as a model for other counties seeking to improve maternal and child health, positioning Makueni as a pioneer in innovative healthcare interventions aimed at safeguarding the well-being of mothers and children.
By: Samuel Mwangi
