Maseno University Hosts VIVES, JKUAT, University of Eldoret and Ministry of Health Partners for Maternal and Child Health Programme
Maseno University has hosted a delegation from VIVES University of Belgium as partners advance a collaborative programme aimed at strengthening maternal and child healthcare in Kenya.
The engagement brought together representatives from partner academic institutions and health-sector organisations involved in the Mama Link Programme, which seeks to improve maternal and child health outcomes through research, education, community engagement and collaboration.
The Maseno University delegation was led by Dr. Lousa Njeri and included representatives from the School of Education, Department of Public Health and Department of Nutrition. Other members of the academic team included Dr. Eunice Mewa of the University of Eldoret and Dr. Mwikamba Kaibui of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
The visiting team that was led by Prof. Tony Clayes of VIVES University was hosted by the Acting Vice Chancellor of Maseno University, Prof. Erick Nyambedha, who shared his experiences and reflections on maternal and child health, including lessons from communities where cultural practices have influenced health outcomes.
Prof. Nyambedha recounted an experience from a community traditionally used a particular spear to cut the umbilical cord during childbirth, this was done to introduce the children to the pastoralist culture. According to his account, some children born under these circumstances subsequently developed severe neonatal tetanus, with some dying after being taken to hospital.
He explained that the deaths contributed to a perception within the community that hospitals were unsafe places to take children. The experience illustrates how cultural practices, limited access to health information and tragic health outcomes can shape community attitudes towards formal healthcare.
Prof. Nyambedha noted that such experiences demonstrate the importance of designing health programmes that understand and work with communities while taking into account local beliefs, practices and lived experiences.
The Mama Link Programme brings together four academic institutions Maseno University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, the University of Eldoret and VIVES University in Belgium in a collaborative effort to strengthen maternal and child healthcare.
The programme also works with key health and community partners, including the Ministry of Health through Suba Sub-County and Hope Initiative, a community-based organisation in Homa Bay County.
As part of the ongoing collaboration, the partners are set to undertake a site visit to Mfangano Island in Suba Sub-County, Homa Bay County. The visit will provide an opportunity for the team to engage with communities, healthcare providers and other stakeholders and gain first-hand insight into maternal and child health needs in the area.
The site visit is expected to help the partners identify community-specific challenges and opportunities that can inform the implementation of Mama Link and contribute to more responsive maternal and child healthcare services.
The collaboration brings together academic expertise, government health services and community knowledge, with the partners seeking to ensure that interventions are grounded in the realities and experiences of the communities they are intended to serve.