P&G, the global consumer brands company, has it will continue supporting healthy development of children in Kenya through proactive wellness and baby care education programmes for mothers. As Pampers marks 20 years in Kenya, it is looking at educating more than 2.5 million mothers in about 230 hospitals and health centres in 38 counties by 2022 as part of its Pampers Mother and Baby Healthcare Program.
Mr Vivek Sunder, Managing Director at P&G, says the program seeks to enhance health service delivery through proactive education and awareness on breast-feeding, immunization, importance of sleep, skin care and proper use of diapers for new mothers. Since inception in 1998, the Pampers Mother and Baby Healthcare program has reached 10 million mothers across the country.
Ms Esther Passaris, Nairobi County Women’s representative, who was the chief guest at the event, called on the wider private sector to support mother and child health care initiatives. “I hope to address through legislation and other advocacy means the many cross cutting issues such as poverty, access to adequate healthcare, more so for those in the marginalized communities,” she said.
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The global child mortality report released this week by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) indicates that over 2.5 million new born babies die annually from illnesses among other birth and nutrition related challenges that can be prevented by better access to midwives, clean water and neonatal education.
According to the Kenya Reproductive Maternal, Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Investment Framework report published by the Ministry of health in 2016, child mortality in Kenya declined by over 20 percent since 2008. “In Kenya, many women, neonates, children, and adolescents continue to suffer or die from conditions, which are preventable or treatable,” says the report.
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The report further notes that although six out of 10 pregnant women received skilled care at childbirth and another half got postnatal care, access to quality RMNCAH services still remains a challenge across all levels of care.
Mutune Kilonzo the Pampers Brand Manager, Africa Expansion Markets, said P&G’s new diaper range shows the company’s commitment to providing the best innovative products in the market. The new Pampers Diaper has “3 absorbing channels”, which help to spread wetness evenly across the whole diaper.
Also present at the event was the Kenya Paediatric Association (KPA) National Chair, Dr Thomas Ngwir
