Sh140m grant to improve mother and child healthcare

Due to the disruptions caused by Covid-19 on maternal and child health in Nyanza, the Gates foundation has funded the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) to research maternity care before and after delivery in Siaya and Kisumu counties.

The Sh140.6 million grant, which will be managed by HJF Medical Research International (HJFMRI), will study whether Covid-19 has caused deaths in pregnant women and newborns, and to what extent, as well as if there have been any causes of disease to the women and children.

The studies will be carried out in the three largest public hospitals in the counties:  Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu County Referral Hospital and Siaya County Referral Hospital.

According to a statement on the foundation’s site, the surveillance study will monitor the impact of Covid-19 on pregnancy and newborns’ outcomes such as birth outcomes and the health of infants born to women who tested positive for Covid-19.

The researchers will also consider how expectant women with anaemia are affected by HIV, TB  or malaria.  In a statement posted on the website, HJFMRI President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Joseph Caravalho said: “Determining the likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with maternal Covid-19 is an urgent matter at this time.”