Siaya County Government has refuted a report by ‘Global Health Newspaper’ that the county leads in Kenya in maternal mortality ratio in public health facilities. Siaya County Director of Health Dr. Kennedy Oruenjo during the closeout meeting of the five-year reproductive health program ‘We Lead,’ implemented by Nyimine CBO, Oruenjo criticized the accuracy of the report calling it ‘misleading’
He clarified that Siaya’s actual mortality ratio is 67 deaths in 100,000 live births far below the figure quoted in the publication and beneath the national threshold.
“The article was talking about somebody being more likely to die in Siaya when they deliver as opposed to other counties with facility mortality rate of over 337 which was not a true figure, our real maternal mortality ratio is 67 even below the national target of 100,” said Dr Oruenjo.
Pamela Josephine, Siaya County’s Reproductive Health Coordinator emphasized the significant investment made by the county government improve reproductive health services. Among the programs, Josephine highlighted the role ‘We Lead’ initiative has played in fostering cooperation between reproductive health officers and the community.
” The outreaches will be integrated and we believe that community members will continue benefitting, we are also working with the area chiefs as we expand our collaboration,” said Pamela.
County officials reiterated their commitment to working with various stakeholders to advance safe reproductive health practices and prevent a relapse into outdated and unsafe methods. They also condemned the report, urging that future publications be verified for accuracy before release.
