Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called for urgent, coordinated global action to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, as he officially opened the 2026 International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC) in Nairobi on behalf of President William Ruto.
Speaking during the opening session under the theme “Moving Forward. Together,” Duale described the conference as a critical platform for renewed commitment, emphasizing that no woman should lose her life while giving birth and that every newborn deserves a chance to survive and thrive.
He pointed to existing global frameworks, including the Maputo Plan of Action, the International Conference on Population and Development, and the Every Newborn Action Plan, noting that the focus must now shift from commitments to accelerated implementation.
He further linked maternal and newborn health priorities to resolutions made at the United Nations General Assembly and the World Health Assembly, underscoring their role in advancing equity, gender equality, and sustainable development.
Highlighting Kenya’s progress, Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening an inclusive health system under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. He cited notable gains in expanded maternal and child health services, increased antenatal care uptake, improved skilled birth attendance, and enhanced immunisation coverage.
A key enabler of these reforms, he said, is the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has so far registered over 30 million Kenyans, helping to reduce financial barriers and expand access to essential healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Despite these achievements, Duale acknowledged that maternal mortality, newborn deaths, and stillbirths remain unacceptably high, warning against complacency and calling for intensified efforts to close existing gaps.
He stressed the need to prioritise reproductive and adolescent health, alongside targeted interventions to address persistent challenges.
Kenya’s renewed push is anchored in the adoption of the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan 2026–2028 and the implementation of the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), focusing on six key priorities: sustainable financing, strategic partnerships, high-impact interventions, workforce strengthening, commodity security, and digital transformation.
Duale underscored the importance of accountability, noting that measurable action and results are essential to saving lives.
The high-level conference has brought together global and regional leaders, including Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health Douglas Tendai Mombeshora and Ethiopia’s State Minister for Health Dereje Duguma.
Also in attendance are Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Jean Kaseya, and the Ministry’s Family Health Director Bashir Issak, among other dignitaries.
