Airtel aids Bungoma midwives to cut maternal deaths

Airtel and Fountain Africa Trust have partnered to offer midwives free access to Internet, calls and SMS to effectively care for pregnant mothers. PHOTO | FILE  

By OKUTTAH MARK

Bharti Airtel has partnered with Fountain Africa Trust to launch a community midwives programme to support expectant women, new mothers and newborn babies in Bungoma County.

The programme to be unveiled early next month is expected to offer free calling and SMS service to 57 midwives and staff from Fountain Africa Trust.

The partnership aims at enabling sharing of information and learning experiences among midwives, expectant mothers and the county health officials.

Airtel will also offer Fountain Africa Trust 24-hour free Internet access, giving them unlimited access to online information that will help them implement the programme effectively and interact with other midwives across the globe.

Airtel Kenya chief executive Adil El Youssefi said the company is helping the government attain its Millennium Development Goals four and five by enabling the midwives to communicate effectively, especially during emergencies.

“Airtel recognises the need for good health and general wellbeing of expectant women and infants. This programme will help reduce risks of child and maternal mortality by ensuring women receive the right level of care when giving birth,” said Mr El Youssefi in a statement.

Fountain Africa Trust chief executive Alice Natecho said despite significant improvements in maternal and newborn care services in Bungoma, recent results from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014 show that the proportion of deliveries by skilled midwives  in the county stood at  41.4 per cent while the proportion of  delivery in health facilities is only 40.8 per cent.  

“Fountain Africa Trust appreciates the support provided by Airtel Kenya since the communication platform provided by Airtel will go a long way in making skilled assistance accessible to mothers in the county,” said Ms Natecho.

She said the group was also working closely with the county health officials to support community midwives and improve the provision of services such as prenatal care, delivery, postnatal care, family planning as well as referral services among other key roles played by community midwives