African Women Network

Tag: WHO

  • WHO partners with the Ministry of Health, to celebrate World Health Day in Kajiado County

    WHO partners with the Ministry of Health, to celebrate World Health Day in Kajiado County

    WHO Kenya partnered with the Ministry of Health, Kajiado County leaders, health partners, and community members to celebrate World Health Day. This year’s theme is “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” focusing on efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths while prioritizing women’s long-term health and well-being.

    The event was led by Kajiado’s Deputy Governor, Hon. Martin Moshisho Martine, who praised the strong collaboration with WHO Kenya. In his remarks, Deputy Governor Martine highlighted the significant improvements the county has made in reproductive and maternal health. The number of service delivery points increased from 100 in 2018 to 134 in 2025, resulting in an increase in immunization coverage for children under one year from 78% to 95%. Furthermore, skilled deliveries in a safe environment rose from 64% in 2018 to 83% in 2024. There was also an increase in enrollment for the Social Health Insurance, which has brought services closer to mothers.
    “We are proud of the progress made and are ready to do even more,” he stated.

    Ms. Patricia Wamala, speaking on behalf of WHO Representative Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, reminded everyone that “investing in maternal and newborn health is not a cost—it’s an investment in a healthier, more prosperous future.” She emphasized that the well-being of mothers and newborns is the foundation of healthy societies. “Let’s close the care gap and ensure every birth is safe and supported,” she urged.

    Dr. Luigi D’Acquino, Chief of Health for UNICEF Kenya, also reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to the cause: “UNICEF stands with WHO and the Ministry of Health to ensure every child’s right to life is upheld. This year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health aligns with our core mission: protecting children’s rights from the very beginning,” he stated.

    As part of the event, WHO Kenya donated 50 Mama Kits and 50 Dignity Kits to enhance the facility’s capacity to provide quality maternal and newborn services. Mama Kits contain essential items for mothers and newborns, while Dignity Kits support the hygiene needs of women and girls with items such as sanitary pads, soap, and personal care supplies. WHO Kenya staff also participated in cleaning the maternal and child health unit at the hospital, interacting with mothers, health care workers, and community members to listen to and learn from their experiences.

    This World Health Day was not only a celebration but also a moment to reflect on progress and reaffirm collective efforts toward building a healthier future for all.

  • WHO Supports Training of Frontline Health Workers in Sierra Leone

    WHO Supports Training of Frontline Health Workers in Sierra Leone

    In a concerted effort to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B (known as Triple Elimination), Sierra Leone has strengthened its healthcare workforce through targeted training of frontline health workers in the cities of Makeni and Bo.

    The training which took place from March 10 to 14, 2025, aimed at equipping healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills required to deliver integrated Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) services within maternal and child health (MCH) platforms. A total of 80 participants—comprising Maternal and Child Health Aides, Senior Enrolled Community Health Nurses, Midwives, Community Health Officers, and HIV Counselors—attended the training, with 40 participants in each location.

    The training equipped participants with practical skills to provide integrated services for EMTCT of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. This included screening and treating pregnant women, as well as timely testing and treatment for exposed infants. Participants also learned about hepatitis B vaccination and how to ensure effective linkage to care. Overall, the training enhanced healthcare workers’ ability to deliver comprehensive and essential EMTCT services.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) provided technical support to ensure the training aligned with global best practices. WHO’s contributions included reviewing training materials, facilitating sessions, and offering expert guidance on effective EMTCT strategies, clinical case management, and service integration.
    This initiative was funded by the Global Fund and addressed critical gaps identified in a rapid EMTCT cascade analysis conducted in June 2024. This analysis revealed significant service delivery challenges: only 77 out of every 100 newly diagnosed women living with HIV were initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) during their first antenatal care (ANC) visit, only 36 out of every 100 HIV-positive women delivered in health facilities, and up to 30 out of 100 infants tested positive for HIV at 18 months. Furthermore, stock-outs of HIV and syphilis testing kits, data integrity issues, and weak laboratory systems exacerbated these challenges, undermining the overall performance of the Triple Elimination program.

    This initiative reinforces Sierra Leone’s commitment to global EMTCT targets and improving maternal and child health. Immediate outcomes from the training include enhanced capacity of frontline healthcare workers to deliver integrated triple elimination services, stronger coordination between MCH and disease-specific programs to optimize service delivery, and improved preparedness in healthcare facilities to offer timely testing, treatment, and prevention interventions.

    Reflecting on the impact of the training, Sr. Roberta Macauley, the District Health Sister (DHS1) in Falaba District, stated, “This training has enhanced my knowledge and skills, providing up-to-date information on prevention, transmission, and care. Though I don’t work directly with patients, I now have a stronger foundation in counseling, understanding the necessary steps before treatment, and reinforcing prevention strategies. When I’m in the field for supervision, I will know what to look for.”

    Similarly, Annie Morlai, a Senior Enrolled Community Health Nurse at Kombayandeh Community Health Centre in Kono District, highlighted the importance of ongoing support: “If we, as health workers, do the right thing at our facilities for all HIV-positive women, we can build a future with an HIV-negative population and a healthier nation. To achieve this, we need regular support from our national and district teams to monitor our progress and ensure the consistent availability of essential medicines and test kits.”

    To maintain the gains achieved from this training, ongoing mentorship and supportive supervision for trained healthcare workers will be essential. Strengthening supply chain management to ensure the continuous availability of HIV test kits, ART, and other essential commodities remains a priority. Additionally, robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be critical for tracking progress, identifying gaps, and informing future policy and programmatic decisions.

    Investing in healthcare workforce development remains a key priority for the WHO, the Ministry of Health, and their partners. Strengthening human resource capacity will be crucial to sustaining progress toward EMTCT and improving long-term health outcomes for women and children in Sierra Leone.