Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joseph Ogutu, Pumwani Maternity Hospital CEO Christine Kiteshuo and Nairobi County Chief Officer for Medical Services Maryam Dahir inspect equipment donated to the hospital to support maternal and newborn healthcare services. Photo/courtesy.
Thousands of newborns delivered annually at Pumwani Maternity Hospital are expected to benefit from improved neonatal care following the installation of a modern newborn unit designed to address one of the leading risks facing premature and vulnerable infants.
The upgraded neonatal unit features advanced infrastructure and a central heating system aimed at reducing cases of neonatal hypothermia, a condition that occurs when newborns are unable to maintain normal body temperature and which can significantly increase the risk of illness and death.
Pumwani Maternity Hospital, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, remains Kenya’s largest maternity facility, handling between 80 and 90 deliveries every day.
According to the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr Chris Mugambi, the introduction of the central heating system has already resulted in notable improvements in thermal regulation among newborns.
“The central heating component has enabled us to achieve above 75 per cent improvement in thermal regulation outcomes, saving infant lives on the backdrop of stretched demand,” he said.
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The project was funded through a KES 13 million investment by the M-PESA Foundation under its Uzazi Salama programme, which seeks to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes across Kenya.
Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joseph Ogutu said the initiative aligns with global efforts to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths and supports the objectives of the World Health Organization’s Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere action plan.
“We are delighted at the impact of this partnership with the Nairobi County Government and Pumwani Maternity Hospital, enabling us to improve the health and well-being of women and children in our country,” he said.
For Nairobi County, the intervention strengthens healthcare capacity at a facility that handles a substantial share of maternal and newborn cases nationally.
Mariam Dahir, Nairobi County’s Chief Officer for Medical Services, noted that Pumwani accounts for a significant proportion of births in the country, making investments in maternal and neonatal care particularly impactful.
She added that partnerships with development organisations and private sector players remain critical in strengthening health systems and improving outcomes for mothers and newborns.
The upgrade comes at a time when Kenya continues efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates through investments in healthcare infrastructure, specialised equipment and skilled healthcare personnel.
Healthcare experts note that maintaining appropriate temperatures for newborns, especially premature infants, is one of the most effective interventions in reducing preventable neonatal complications and deaths.
The Pumwani project is expected to enhance the hospital’s ability to care for vulnerable newborns while supporting broader national efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
