Maternal and neonatal health care is an urgent need in Kenya’s Northern Rift Valley, where HealthRight International has been working since 2004.  In this region, more than 70% of women give birth in their homes, and access to emergency medical care is hindered by long distances, poor roads, and lack of transportation infrastructure.  One-third of infant deaths occur during the first month of life, and over 95% of women in the region have undergone female genital mutilation, making them even more vulnerable during pregnancy and childbirth.
 
HealthRight established the Partnership for Maternal and Neonatal Health in 2006 to reduce the number of maternal and newborn deaths in the Northern Rift Valley.  The program works to build the capacity of local health providers, educate communities about essential care, and build lasting access to services.  Prevention and treatment services for HIV/AIDS and malaria are also a key component of the project.    
 
Training health providers and expanding community access
HealthRight trains staff from the region’s public health services to provide antenatal care, emergency obstetric services, safe delivery, and newborn care.  Mobile outreach clinics reach women and babies in their communities with services that can be provided outside health facilities. In 2009, the project will provide maternal dormitories, offering a place close to the health center for pregnant women to stay before the onset of labor.
 
Increasing community awareness
HealthRight works with local leaders to identify Community Health Workers (CHW) within communities.  CHWs are trained to raise awareness about health topics among pregnant women and new mothers and to increase appropriate utilization of health facilities. 

Improving systems
Kenya’s Northern Rift Valley lacks effective health systems necessary to improve maternal and newborn health services.  To address this problem, HealthRight is working with local partners to improve the region’s health information systems at health centers and dispensaries.  This has resulted in better heath information about maternal and neonatal deaths at the district and provincial level.

HealthRight has also worked with local health centers to renovate and improve facilities where women access MNH services.  In addition to providing new equipment, the improved facilities provide a more welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for women during pregnancy and childbirth.

* HealthRight International was known as Doctors of the World-USA from 1990 to 2009.