Are Free Maternity Services in Kenya really free?

Micah Matiang’I

doi:10.15226/2471-6529/4/1/00137

Abstract

Are Free Maternity Services in Kenya really free?

Highlights

In developing countries where inequalities to health care are common, providing universal access to health care for all women is important to reduce birth related complications
Evidence shows that poor outcomes for mothers and babies during the perinatal period – the few weeks immediately before and after birth are linked to limited use of skilled care in health facilities
Among the barriers to using skilled birth attendance services in developing countries is the cost of care [1]

Summary

Introduction

In developing countries where inequalities to health care are common, providing universal access to health care for all women is important to reduce birth related complications. Kenya’s maternal mortality rate was 488 per 100,000 live births compared to developed countries such as Switzerland which had a maternal mortality rate of 5 per 100,000 live births [2] This policy was meant to enable Kenya increase use of health facility based services by mothers, achieve national development goals (Vision 2030) and global health development targets (SDGs 3, 5 and 10). This policy was implemented oblivious of other factors that directly affect pregnancy outcomes such as the number of health care workers available, availability of supplies and equipment, access to quality of health education in health facilities. There is an urgent need to review the policy, otherwise quality health care for mothers and their new-borns is at risk

Context in which FMS policy got implemented in Kenya

Increased workload on service providers

Maternal deaths

Some facilities and counties threatening not to implement FMS policy

Findings

Possible solutions for the challenges facing FMS policy in Kenya