On August 20, 2024, Kisumu County took a significant step forward in maternal health care during a training session at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). Midwives from across the county gathered not only to engage in self-care practices training for maternal and newborn health but also to make a transformative commitment that could reshape the future of maternal and newborn health in the region. Facilitated by White Ribbon Alliance Kenya (WRA Kenya), with support from USAID Momentum, the training session culminated in midwives commiting to uphold Respectful Maternity Care (RMC).
This commitment marked a critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve maternal healthcare in Kenya, particularly in addressing the often-overlooked issue of disrespect and abuse women encounter during pregnancy and childbirth. For women in Kisumu County, and indeed across the globe, these experiences represent a significant barrier to accessing skilled and compassionate maternal care, which can adversely impact maternal health outcomes.
Voices of Women Driving Change They Want to See
The commitment signed by the midwives is not an isolated gesture but a response to the voices of women and girls who have long advocated for respect and dignity in healthcare settings. In 2023, WRA Kenya conducted a listening exercise in Kisumu County wanting to know ;“What does respect mean to you when accessing maternal health services during pregnancy, during delivery, and after childbirth?” As part of Respectful Maternity Care Campaign.
One woman from Kisumu County, aged 32, shared, “Respect for me is when I get to be talked to politely by the service providers.” Another, aged 20, explained, “Respect means not being harassed while at the clinic with unnecessary interrogations.”
These asks mirror findings from the 2018 What Women Want campaign, where Kenyan women identified Respectful and Dignified Care as the second most important demand of quality healthcare.
The Kisumu County’s Director of Medical Services, Dr. Don Sunday Ogolla, and Director of Public Health, Mr. Fredrick Olouch, speaking during the training session urged midwives to prioritize quality, equitable , dignified ,respectful, and compassionate care for mothers throughout their pregnancy and childbirth journeys. Senior midwife Florence Aketa and Assistant Reproductive Health Coordinator Agnes Dawa spearheaded the signing of the commitment, which outlines clear principles: no mother should face verbal abuse, harassment, or rudeness when seeking reproductive healthcare.
This commitment represents a collective acknowledgment of the critical role midwives play in shaping the maternal healthcare experience. By ensuring that mothers are treated with compassion and respect, Kisumu County’s midwives are helping to set new standards in maternal care across Kenya.
The training did not solely focus on the pledge for respectful care. It also highlighted the importance of self-care for healthcare providers. The physical and emotional demands placed on midwives can be immense, and the training emphasized that in order to provide the best care, midwives must also prioritize their own well-being.
Moreover, midwives were trained on the importance of educating mothers about self-care practices during pregnancy and after childbirth. These practices, such as proper nutrition, mental health awareness, and early newborn care, are crucial to improving maternal and newborn outcomes.
By incorporating self-care and respectful care principles, Kisumu County’s healthcare providers are fostering a more holistic approach to maternal health—one that not only addresses the physical needs of mothers and newborns but also promotes their emotional and mental well-being.
Kisumu County’s Commitment to Uphold Respectful Maternity Care
Dr. Ogolla and Mr. Olouch reaffirmed Kisumu County’s dedication to upholding the principles of RMC, stressing the need for transparency, accountability, and teamwork among healthcare providers. This commitment is a testament to the county’s desire to continuously improve its maternal healthcare system and ensure that no mother feels neglected or mistreated during one of the most critical moments of her life.
As Kisumu County embarks on this journey of transformation, it is setting an example for other counties in Kenya to follow. The midwives’ commitment is a significant step toward addressing the systemic issues in maternal healthcare that have long gone unchallenged. By promoting a culture of compassion and respect, Kisumu County is not only improving maternal health outcomes but also igniting the power of mothers and families to advocate for the care they deserve.
Kisumu county is only but a start, as White Ribbon Alliance Kenya we remain dedicated to ensuring that Respectful Maternity Care becomes a reality in every healthcare facility in Kenya. The achievement we have had in Kisumu county, is one step closer to creating a future where no woman has to fear disrespect or abuse when seeking the care, she and her newborn need.
We remain unwavering in our commitment of asking, listening and amplifying the voices of women and advocating for action on what women have demanded, White Ribbon Alliance Kenya is proud to stand alongside the midwives and healthcare providers of Kisumu County. Their commitment to RMC is more than just a pledge—it is a promise to the mothers and newborns of Kisumu County that their dignity will be upheld, and their care will be compassionate and respectful.
