This project will support women to give birth safely and have access to essential services ensuring their baby will survive and thrive to celebrate their 5th birthday. COVID-19 has reversed progress made in supporting mothers and babies in poor and marginalised communities in Kericho County, Kenya. Inaccessible health services, fear of COVID-19, lack of soap and water has increased unsupervised home births which risk the lives of mothers and babies. Help us reverse this trend.
Without access to regular check-ups during pregnancy the life of mother and baby is at risk. Right now in Kericho, 1 in 26 babies will be still born or die within 7 days of their birth, and 1 in 20 children will never reach their 5th birthday. Health facility resources are diverted to fighting COVID-19. Women are afraid to attend facilities where staff are without PPE. Children under 5 are at risk of dying from pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria and are without access to vaccinations.
This project will train Community Health Volunteers to encourage women to go for 4 check up's needed for a safe pregnancy and to deliver in a healthy facility rather than at home. PPE will protect health workers and make it safe for women to attend health facilities. At outreach clinics, children will be vaccinated against preventable diseases and protected from malnutrition. Health Staff will have the training, skills and resources they need to support mothers and babies.
Mothers and babies supported through pregnancy and early years will be stronger and less likely to suffer illness as they grow older. Health workers with improved skills and facilities protected from COVID-19 are in a better position to look after sick people. A child that gets a healthy start in life will grow up to be a healthy, educated adult capable of making decisions for themselves, motivated to create their own best future and create a sustainable livelihood for themselves.
