Kenya has taken a major step toward reducing maternal mortality by approving the use of two critical drugs Tranexamic Acid (TXA) and Heat-Stable Carbetocin (HSC) for treating postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in all healthcare facilities across the country. Previously restricted to referral hospitals and higher-level facilities (Level 4 and above), these drugs will now be accessible at all healthcare levels, including smaller, community-based centers (Levels 2 and 3), where most births occur.
Postpartum haemorrhage, or excessive bleeding after childbirth, remains the leading cause of maternal deaths in Kenya. With the country recording a maternal mortality rate of 355 deaths per 100,000 live births approximately 16 deaths every day broadening access to these life-saving treatments is seen as a game-changer for maternal health.
Tranexamic Acid works by preventing the breakdown of blood clots, helping to control internal bleeding, while Heat-Stable Carbetocin assists the uterus in contracting more effectively, compressing blood vessels to reduce blood loss. These two drugs, used together or independently, offer a dual-action defense against the leading threat to mothers during and after childbirth.
The decision to allow their use at all healthcare levels is particularly crucial for rural and underserved areas, where access to advanced medical care is limited and distances to high-level referral hospitals are often prohibitive. One of the key advantages of these medications is their cost-effectiveness and ease of storage especially HSC, which does not require refrigeration. This makes them ideal for deployment in remote areas where power supply and storage conditions are often unreliable.
The approval also enables healthcare facilities to stock the drugs regularly and allows insurance providers to cover treatments involving them. This is expected to ease the financial burden on low-income families and ensure timely medical intervention for at-risk mothers.
The move comes amid growing concern over stagnating progress in maternal health across Sub-Saharan Africa, where maternal deaths still account for a disproportionate share of the global total. Kenyan authorities have acknowledged that previous bottlenecks such as frequent stockouts and uneven distribution have hindered efforts to curb maternal mortality.
In response, the Ministry of Health has instructed all relevant agencies to monitor and report maternal deaths quarterly. These reports are expected to prompt swift local interventions, especially in counties and facilities recording high maternal death rates. Additionally, the government has committed to addressing medical negligence, with steps underway to hold accountable those whose carelessness contributes to preventable deaths.
Kenya’s latest move signals renewed urgency and commitment to making childbirth safer for all women, regardless of their location or income level.
