REMARKS
BY
THE REVEREND CANON PETER KARANJA
GENERAL SECRETARY
DURING
THE LAUNCH OF THE REFURBISHED KIAIBABU HEALTH CENTER
ON FRIDAY 4th JULY 2014
AT
KIAIBABU
KIAMBU COUNTY
‘Beyond Zero’ Campaign A Key Aspect To Maternal Health.
- A. PRELIMINARIES
Hon Philomena Kabogo, Wife to Kiambu County Governor,
Hon Anne Nyokabi, Kiambu County Women Representative,
Hon Njoroge Baiya, M.P,
All Protocols Observed,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
B. INTRODUCTION:
I am greatly honoured to join you today during this very important occasion as we officially unveil the refurbished Kiaibabu Health Center. This is a milestone and a step in the right direction in improving our health services in this region. May I commend all those who have partnered and made their contribution towards this noble course of giving this health facility a face lift since its inception 4 years ago. Similarly, I salute Christian Aid,CDF Githunguri, Ministry of Health, and the community at large for being steadfast in this endeavour.
Therefore your presence here today, is testimony that you are indeed determined to carry on with this great initiatives and improve maternal health in Kiambu County.
KIAIBABU HEALTH CENTRE:
Brethrens,
Kiaibabu Health Center was started in 2011 following a Project Partnership Agreement between the National Council of Churches of Kenya and her development partners. The aim was to help locals access medi-care easily and at affordable rates.
I am happy to note that since then, staff at the facility have served the community professionally thus expanding services rendered. This ingenuity, commitment to duty coupled with expanded PPA investment, has seen the number of patients attended to daily by this facility increase to 160 patients down from 15 patients four years ago. I reckon that this is significant rise putting in mind that the facility could only attend to about 15 people three years ago. I appreciate this development and hope that the facility will continue being a blessing to you all.
D. MATERNAL HEALTH:
Brethrens,
As we await the unveiling of this facility, I would like to draw your attention to the all important aspect of maternal health. According to statistics, at least fifteen women die daily in Kenya today due to pregnancy related complications. Worse still, 20% of deaths among mothers are HIV AIDs related. An update report published last year by the Commission on Information and Accountability for Women and Children’s Health indicates that in 2012, more than 100,000 children died before their 5th birthday largely due to preventable causes.
These clearly are grim statistics for any country and are reflective of the efforts that we all ought to make to have an impressive turn around. It is therefore my humble appeal to all those gathered here, that this turn around will be our clarion call as we seek to address maternal health challenges. In this regard, NCCK and her partners commit to this cause as we have one before going forward. May I also challenge the County government of Kiambu to make health a priority in its quest to tackle the challenges afflicting the people of this County.
E. BEYOND ZERO CAMPAIGN:
As we all know, in January this year, the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta launched the ‘Beyond Zero’ campaign whose aim is to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths. I acknowledge that this is a great initiative putting in mind that Kenya is among African countries that are yet to put in place proper mechanisms in alleviating deaths related to maternal health. The impact already created by this campaign that has also ropped in the various players is laudable and ought to be emulated. Cognizant of this initiative, I call upon the management of Kiaibabu Health Centre to incorporate this campaign in their strategic plan going forward. I am convinced that if we harness these plans, we can enhance the achievements of our objectives.
F. CONCLUSION:
As I conclude, may I once again appreciate our partners and all those who have contributed to this noble course. I also wish to thank all those who have made this event a success and the recognition accorded to the Council in making us be part of this great community. For now I invite you to join me in officially unveiling the refurbished Kiaibabu Health Facility. May God bless you all!
