Midwives from across Africa came together to celebrate exceptional maternity services provided by their counterparts in Kenya at an awards ceremony hosted by AMREF’s Stand Up for African Mothers campaign in partnership with Johnson&Johnson. The Maternity of the Year Award is an annual event organised by Johnson&Johnson in conjunction with the Kenyan Ministry of Health and Midwives in Kenya.
The Maternity of the Year Awards celebrate the critical role of midwives in promoting maternal and infant care in Kenya. Kenya loses 20 mothers daily in childbirth and due to pregnancy-related complications largely because of lack of skilled health care. Skilled midwives are able to reduce the incidences of these deaths as they are able to recognise and manage emergencies, which is why the Stand Up for African Mothers campaign seeks to train more midwives in Africa.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Rachel Ruto, wife of Kenya’s Deputy President, commended the work that AMREF is doing through the Stand Up for African Mothers campaign and the initiative by Johnson&Johnson and Midwives of Kenya to recognise midwives through the Maternity of the Year Awards. “Fostering partnerships between the private sector, civil society organisations and governments can bring the solution to achieving better health and prosperity,” she said.
AMREF’s Director of Capacity Building Dr Peter Ngatia reiterated the importance of partnerships in improving health in Africa. “Training of midwives is an important component of reducing maternal deaths. By increasing the number of skilled midwives, we are sure to change the fate of 162,000 women who die each year in sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
Ugandan midwife Esther Madudu, who is the face of the Stand Up for African Mothers campaign, gave a compelling account of her experiences as a midwife in rural Uganda. The awards ceremony was held during the 13th International Confederation of Midwives Conference held from July 17 to 19 July 2013.
AMREF is a transparent organisation distributing funds of up to $85 million per year.
