The Ushiriki Wema Foundation has expanded its Okoa Malaika programme to distribute neonatal incubators to more counties in Kenya. The initiative, led by Foundation Chairperson Tessie Musalia Mudavadi, aims to improve the survival of premature and preterm babies. Six counties in Nyanza - Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, and Nyamira - each received two incubators, valued at over Sh4 million. This brings the total number of incubators distributed in the region to 12.
The Okoa Malaika programme has distributed over 39 incubators countrywide, valued at over Sh13 million. Mudavadi emphasized the need for collective action among the government, civil society, development partners, and communities to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths. She urged stakeholders to align their interventions with the Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan 2026-2028 to strengthen maternal, newborn, and child healthcare.
Mudavadi noted that some health facilities have trained healthcare workers but lack adequate equipment to provide lifesaving services. The donated incubators will help bridge gaps in neonatal care, particularly for premature babies. She urged beneficiary counties and hospitals to ensure proper installation, maintenance, and functionality of the equipment to support newborn care in the long term.
Okoa Malaika Brand Ambassador Njoki Mambo stated that the programme has reached 37 counties and will continue expanding its support to hospitals in need. The initiative aims to ensure premature babies have access to appropriate care, with incubators providing the necessary warmth and support. Mambo emphasized that demand for neonatal equipment remains high, with some hospitals facing a shortage of incubators.
Kisumu County First Lady Dorothy Nyong’o expressed her county's commitment to working with the Ushiriki Wema Foundation and other partners to reduce newborn mortality. She emphasized the need to eliminate preventable newborn deaths and highlighted opportunities to integrate cancer screening into maternal and postnatal healthcare. Nyong’o also encouraged women to involve their spouses in prostate cancer screening.
Migori County First Lady Agnes Ochilo thanked the Ushiriki Wema Foundation for allocating neonatal equipment to Migori County Referral Hospital. The facility serves mothers and newborns referred from across Migori County and neighbouring counties. Ochilo emphasized that strengthening newborn care at the referral hospital will benefit families beyond Migori County.
Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member for Public Health and Medical Services Grace Masi-Osewe highlighted the importance of strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare to reduce preventable deaths. She noted that Kenya has made progress in maternal healthcare but challenges persist in caring for premature and very-low-birth-weight babies. The distribution exercise is expected to continue supporting hospitals as the programme works towards reaching all 47 counties.
Key points
- The Ushiriki Wema Foundation's Okoa Malaika programme has distributed over 39 neonatal incubators countrywide, valued at over Sh13 million.
- The programme aims to improve premature baby care and reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
- The initiative has reached 37 counties and will continue expanding its support to hospitals in need.
