Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi, Taita Taveta County, is recording an average of 35 premature births every month, with medical staff reporting improved survival rates following recent upgrades to lifesaving neonatal equipment.
According to hospital officials, the county’s investment in specialized machines has significantly strengthened the care of preterm mothers and their babies, many of whom previously had to travel to Mombasa for critical services.
“We are admitting an average of 35 premature babies every month, and our survival rate from 2023 has greatly improved since we acquired machines that support neonatal care. Initially, we used to refer such babies to Mombasa, but now those referrals have reduced,” said Dr. Stephen Onyango.
Mama Care Kenya Foundation founder and chairperson, Mchikirwa Ndelejai, emphasized the importance of continued support for preterm infants and their mothers. She noted that strong partnerships between the government, healthcare stakeholders, and community organizations are essential in sustaining quality neonatal care.
“Premature babies have been forgotten. I had not heard much about prematurity or premature babies until I delivered prematurely. I decided it was time for us to take action for those babies already born prematurely. We support them so they don’t die. For mothers yet to give birth, we help them reach their days safely,” said Mchikirwa.
Mchikirwa, herself a preterm mother, said her difficult experience after giving birth prematurely to her now two-year-old son inspired her to establish the organization. Mama Care Kenya now works across the region to offer emotional, medical, and material support to families facing similar challenges.
“As a mother who had a child prematurely and stayed at the hospital for two weeks, I understood the challenges these mothers and babies go through and the support they need. That inspired me to help and support them through this organization,” she added.
Doctors at the facility have cited a range of health factors contributing to the rise in premature births, noting a noticeable increase in recent months. Investigations are underway to determine the underlying causes of this trend.
“In the recent past, we have seen a surge in premature births, and we are yet to know the real cause. Several factors can contribute, including environmental, medical, and social issues. Some causes include teenage pregnancy, as teenage mothers often give birth prematurely. Other causes include medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which make it difficult to carry a pregnancy to term. Trauma, such as accidents or physical impact, can also lead to premature birth,” said Dr. Onyango.
To mark World Prematurity Day, Mama Care Kenya, through its founder Mchikirwa Ndelejai, donated essential items which included diapers, washing basins, and plastic chairs to premature mothers and their babies at the hospital’s newborn unit.
“I am so happy today for receiving this gift hamper and the support. It will help us a lot. We face many challenges as preterm mothers, but today we are happy to be remembered,” said Mary, a preterm mother.
Mchikirwa reiterated that her organization seeks to partner with other well-wishers to continue supporting preterm and pregnant mothers to ensure they carry their pregnancies to 40 weeks.
