Impact of Devolved Health on Maternal Healthcare in Kenya: the Case of Nyandarua County

Abstract

Kenya has greatly recorded positive gains in maternal healthcare indicators from low mortality rates and increased hospital deliveries for mothers. There is evidence from a variety of sources that indeed maternal health services were positively impacted by devolution with most mothers interviewed acknowledging that although some small problems still persist, great milestones were already realized. The purpose of this study was to understand how devolution had impacted maternal healthcare services within Nyandarua County. Over 30 women who were either attending antenatal or post-natal clinic were interviewed together with serving nurses, clinical officers and other health administrators within the County Referral facility. The study employed pure qualitative study approaches in obtaining feedback from service seekers and providers within the County. From the results, it was evident that the County government of Nyandarua had invested a lot in improvement of health infrastructure across its facilities and also in buying of equipment. The most frequently mentioned reason for this success in maternal health was however, the Linda Mama program implemented jointly by the National and County governments which guaranteed free delivery to pregnant mothers across all government facilities. The study concludes by recommending that the delivery of Linda Mama program must be promoted along with enrolling for National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) which further guarantees cover to the entire family unlike the later which only covers the mother. Employment of more staff to cope with the rising numbers of mothers seeking maternal health services was also a matter that requires urgent attention.