The Ministry of Health has ramped up its commitment to eliminating preventable maternal and newborn deaths with the expansion of the EWENE (Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere) Campaign. This initiative aims to improve coordination and strategic communication on issues related to reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCAH) across Kenya.
The campaign recognizes the persistent challenges facing maternal and newborn health and seeks to address them through evidence-based advocacy, public awareness, and targeted interventions. A recent workshop held in Machakos brought together key stakeholders from both national and county health departments, development partners, and civil society organizations to finalize messaging strategies that resonate with various audiences.
A senior official from the Division of RMNCAH emphasized the urgent need for deliberate and sustained action. The official pointed out that far too many women and newborns continue to lose their lives due to preventable causes, despite the availability of proven interventions. The call to action was clear: stakeholders must focus their energies on the populations that need it most, using the right messages and strategies to generate real impact.
The EWENE campaign adopts a multi-sectoral approach that not only targets healthcare providers and policymakers but also engages community leaders, religious figures, men, and young people. The idea is to build a culture of shared responsibility around maternal and newborn health, ensuring that critical messages reach the grassroots level where they can influence behavior and decision-making.
One of the key pillars of the campaign is strategic communication. Workshop participants worked on refining health messages to ensure they are clear, culturally appropriate, and effective in promoting desired health outcomes. The process involved tailoring messages to different audiences, from expectant mothers and fathers to health professionals and traditional birth attendants.
The campaign also places a strong emphasis on resource mobilisation. Stakeholders agreed that sustainable financing is essential for the successful implementation of RMNCAH interventions. This includes investment in skilled health personnel, adequate supplies of essential medicines and equipment, and functional health infrastructure, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Another major focus area is strengthening service delivery systems. The campaign advocates for the integration of maternal and newborn health services with other essential healthcare programs, including nutrition, immunization, and adolescent health. Such integration is expected to enhance efficiency and improve the overall quality of care provided to mothers and newborns.
Community engagement is also a central theme. The campaign promotes the empowerment of women and families to seek timely and appropriate healthcare services. It highlights the importance of antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, and postnatal follow-up. Community health workers and local health committees are expected to play a vital role in mobilizing support and linking households to health services.
Ultimately, the EWENE campaign seeks to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates by fostering a more responsive, inclusive, and resilient healthcare system. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and focusing on locally relevant solutions, the campaign aims to ensure that no woman or newborn is left behind, regardless of where they live.
The Ministry of Health remains committed to working with counties, partners, and communities to make maternal and newborn health a top national priority. Through collective action and sustained effort, the goal of ending preventable deaths is within reach.
