Independent Evaluation of the Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Kenya Programme

Abstract

Kenya has one of the highest rates of maternal deaths in the world, at 362 per 100,000 live births (Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 2014). Fifty-six percent of infant deaths in Kenya occur during the first month of life. Challenges include poor access to quality delivery and emergency care, low use of available services, shortages of skilled health workers, equipment and supplies, and weak referral systems. Financial, cultural and geographical barriers also prevent women from using maternal health care services. The Reduction of Maternal and Neonatal Mortality in Kenya Programme is a five-year UK Department for International Development (DFID) funded programme implemented by UNICEF, Options, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), and other partners. The Programme is expected to contribute to preventing 1,092 maternal and 3,836 neonatal deaths by 2018. The expected outcome is increased access to and utilisation of quality maternal and newborn health services. The programme has been designed in close collaboration with national authorities and other development partners and is aligned with sector priorities.