Women of reproductive age and children in Homabay and Migori Counties are set to benefit from projects by the M-Pesa Foundation worth Ksh14.9 million that seek to improve access to quality maternal health services.
In Migori County, the M-Pesa Foundation in collaboration with Flying Doctors, the County Government of Migori, conducted a week-long fistula camp where over 200 women were screened, with over 70 women undergoing surgeries and treatment. M-PESA Foundation funded the camp at a cost of Ksh7.5 million.
“This partnership has created awareness about fistula in order to stop the stigma faced by women living with the condition. We strongly urge more women to get screened and take advantage of these medical camps to get free surgeries,” said Nicholas Nganga, Chairman M-Pesa Foundation.
This is the first time a fistula camp was held in Migori County. The initiative was spearheaded by the county’s First Lady, Dr Agnes Ochillo, who presented the plight of the women of Migori County and the need for a fistula camp.
“The Flying Doctors’ Society provides access to outreach medical services. We offer hope, create awareness and reduce the stigma faced by those living with fistula. We are encouraged to break new ground in efforts remove the pain and suffering of fistula in our communities,” said Ms Tanya Nduati, CEO of Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa.
Meanwhile, in Homa Bay County, the M-PESA Foundation in partnership with the County Government of Homa Bay launched two boreholes in Kobodo and Kachuth, within Ndhiwa Sub-County, under the Uzazi Salama Programme at a cost of Ksh7.4 Million.
Water plays a critical role in ensuring hygiene and infection prevention, which is a critical requirement in the provision of quality maternal, newborn and child health services in the health facilities. Uzazi Salama has supported the two facilities with boreholes to ensure adequate and safe water for better delivery of health services.
Furthermore, the boreholes are set to give about 9,250 people access to clean water with an aim to complement ongoing Uzazi Salama efforts by targeting Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in community health.
“Improvements in WASH have been identified as a means through which maternal healthcare can be improved. By commissioning these boreholes, we are keen to address some of the Social Determinants of Health, of which access to water plays a critical role,” added Mr Ng’ang’a.
Uzazi Salama is a project currently running in Ndhiwa Sub-County with the aim of improving access to and utilization of high quality maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services. The project is a consortium of 5 partners including M-Pesa Foundation, Amref, Action Aid, Pathfinder and Pharmaccess Foundation.
