First Lady hands over last mobile health clinic
President Uhuru Kenyatta with First Lady Margaret during the handing-over ceremony of the 47th fully kitted Beyond Zero mobile clinic to Nairobi County on September 9, 2016. PHOTO | PSCU
What you need to know:
- He said the Beyond Zero brand has become well known and an inspiration for action and change.
- He said Beyond Zero campaign has helped Kenya to record tremendous improvement on key health indicators.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret on Friday handed over the 47th mobile clinic to Nairobi County.
The ceremony took place at State House, Nairobi.
The First Lady has already distribute fully kitted mobile clinics to 46 counties.
President Kenyatta commended the First Lady for launching an initiative that has brought all Kenyans on board for a common purpose.
“I am truly proud of Margaret. You have done me proud. You have done Kenya proud. Thank you Margaret for a great job,” the President said in reference to the First Lady.
He said the Beyond Zero campaign has helped Kenya to record tremendous improvement on key health indicators.
President Uhuru Kenyatta test-rides one of the 47 motorcycle ambulances, dubbed 'Ambulance Mashinani', which was donated by Ahadi Kenya Trust during the handing-over ceremony of the 47th fully kitted Beyond Zero mobile clinic to Nairobi County on September 9, 2016. PHOTO | PSCU
The President said through home-grown solutions and local resources, the campaign has boosted the government’s effort towards ensuring Kenyans have access to quality healthcare services.
“The Beyond Zero campaign has revealed the resilience, the spirit of togetherness and our commitment to the value of our mothers and children and our shared prosperity,” he said.
He said the Beyond Zero brand has become well known and an inspiration for action and change.
“Due to this campaign, more women are aware of the importance of delivering in health facilities,” said the President.
He pointed out that the campaign has contributed to increased awareness and social accountability which have seen more HIV-positive pregnant women access medical care.
He said out of the 79,000 HIV-positive pregnant women in 2015, there were only 6,600 new child infections, a 50 per cent drop from 12,000 in 2013.
“The Beyond Zero campaign goes beyond the fully kitted mobile trucks. It is a campaign that has stimulated social dialogue and promoted political and social accountability for the health of mothers and children,” he said.
President Kenyatta said the mobile clinics, which comprise three consultation rooms, a laboratory and a pharmacy, are used in the counties for emergency services, distribution of drugs and nets as well as in the provision of basic health services.
“I am informed that the clinics have so far provided direct services to over 420,000 Kenyans,” he said.
To address the increased demand for health services, the President said the national government has partnered with county governments to equip 200 theatres for emergency surgery during delivery, in addition to providing free maternity services that have eased the financial burden on Kenyans.
