Dandelion Africa Strengthens Maternal and Newborn Healthcare Through EmONC Assessments

 

By John Kariuki

In a concerted effort to improve maternal and newborn healthcare outcomes, Dandelion Africa has been conducting an Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) assessment across Baringo and neighboring counties. This initiative aims to evaluate the readiness of healthcare facilities to handle emergency obstetric and neonatal cases, ensuring that mothers and newborns receive timely and lifesaving care.

This week, our team visited Iten County Referral Hospital in Elgeyo Marakwet and Burnt Forest Subcounty Hospital in Uasin Gishu, two crucial facilities that often receive referrals from Baringo County. These assessments provide vital insights into the state of emergency maternal and newborn care services, helping us identify gaps in infrastructure, medical equipment, and healthcare personnel training.

Maternal and neonatal emergencies remain a significant challenge in many parts of Kenya, particularly in rural counties where access to specialized care is limited. Conditions such as postpartum hemorrhage, obstructed labor, pre-eclampsia, and neonatal asphyxia require prompt medical intervention, yet many health facilities struggle with shortages of critical resources.

Through this EmONC assessment, we are gathering critical data on the availability and functionality of essential obstetric and neonatal care equipment, staffing levels, and the capacity of healthcare workers to manage emergency cases. Additionally, we are assessing drug and blood supply chains for emergency interventions, as well as identifying gaps in referral systems and ambulance services for high-risk cases.

This assessment marks a crucial step toward our upcoming EmONC training program next month, where we will work closely with healthcare providers to build their capacity in handling maternal and neonatal emergencies. The training will focus on emergency response protocols, clinical best practices, and efficient resource utilization to enhance service delivery in these facilities.

At Dandelion Africa, we remain committed to strengthening healthcare systems and ensuring that every mother and newborn receives quality emergency care. Through collaboration with health facilities and continuous capacity-building, we are working toward a future where preventable maternal and neonatal deaths are significantly reduced.

As we move forward, we urge stakeholders—including county governments, healthcare institutions, and development partners—to support initiatives that prioritize maternal and newborn health. No woman should lose her life giving birth, and no newborn should die due to lack of timely medical intervention.

March 15, 2025