Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH), has enhanced the capacity of healthcare workers in emergency maternal and newborn care through a comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) Mentorship and Training Programme. The initiative aims to equip healthcare professionals with life-saving skills that improve outcomes for mothers and newborns across Kenya.
Every healthy birth marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope and possibility. Yet pregnancy, childbirth, and the immediate newborn period can sometimes present life-threatening complications that require urgent medical attention. Conditions such as severe bleeding after delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and newborn breathing difficulties remain among the leading causes of preventable maternal and newborn deaths worldwide. In these critical moments, the timely intervention of skilled healthcare professionals can make the difference between life and death.
To strengthen emergency response capabilities, KUTRRH recently hosted a two-week Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) Mentorship and Training Programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The programme brought together approximately 40 healthcare providers and eight specialist facilitators for intensive, facility-based learning focused on improving emergency maternal and newborn care services.
Building Critical Skills to Save Lives
The training was designed to provide practical, hands-on learning through bedside mentorship, simulation exercises, supervised clinical practice, and multidisciplinary case discussions. Participants enhanced their ability to recognise, assess, and manage maternal and newborn emergencies using current evidence-based interventions.
Beyond technical skills, the programme strengthened clinical decision-making, teamwork, communication, and coordination among healthcare professionals working in high-pressure environments.
Key Benefits of the Training Programme
Participants gained enhanced skills and knowledge in:
- Early identification and management of obstetric and newborn emergencies
- The E-MOTIVE Postpartum Haemorrhage Response Bundle
- Active Management of the Third Stage of Labour (AMTSL)
- Newborn resuscitation techniques
- Prevention and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
- Effective multidisciplinary teamwork and communication
- Evidence-based clinical decision-making
These competencies play a crucial role in reducing maternal and newborn mortality while improving the quality of care and patient outcomes.
Advancing Quality Maternal and Newborn Healthcare
According to Dr. Hilda Gikunda of CHAI Kenya, the programme supports ongoing efforts to ensure healthcare workers can identify emergencies early, make informed clinical decisions, and collaborate effectively as multidisciplinary teams. These factors are essential in delivering timely interventions and improving outcomes for mothers and newborns.
The training also reinforced the importance of continuous professional development and lifelong learning among healthcare professionals. As a teaching and referral institution, KUTRRH remains committed to equipping healthcare workers with up-to-date knowledge, practical skills, and emerging best practices that support excellence in patient care.
Strengthening Specialised Referral Services
The programme highlighted the importance of specialised referral care, where obstetricians, nurses, midwives, anaesthetists, paediatricians, and critical care teams work together to manage complex maternal and newborn cases. This collaborative approach ensures that patients requiring advanced medical interventions receive comprehensive, coordinated care, ultimately improving treatment outcomes and enhancing patient safety.
Creating a Ripple Effect Across Kenya
The impact of the EmONC Mentorship and Training Programme is expected to extend far beyond KUTRRH. Participants will share the knowledge and skills acquired through workplace mentorship, continuous medical education sessions, and peer-to-peer learning within their respective facilities. This knowledge transfer will help strengthen emergency obstetric and newborn care services across the country, contributing to a more skilled healthcare workforce and better health outcomes for mothers and babies.
Supporting National Efforts to Reduce Preventable Deaths
The collaboration between KUTRRH and the Ministry of Health reflects a shared commitment to improving maternal and newborn health through skills development, mentorship, and evidence-based practice. By investing in healthcare workers and fostering continuous learning, the programme supports national efforts to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths while strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system and improving access to quality maternal and child health services.
KUTRRH’s Commitment to Excellence in Maternal and Newborn Care
As a national referral and teaching hospital, KUTRRH continues to play a leading role in advancing specialised maternal and newborn healthcare while building the capacity of healthcare professionals across the country. Initiatives such as the EmONC Mentorship and Training Programme reaffirm a simple yet powerful principle: when healthcare professionals are equipped with the right skills, knowledge, and support, more mothers and newborns can look forward to healthier futures and improved quality of life.