Office of Public Communications - Office of Government Spokesperson

Government has abolished fees charged for delivery services at all public dispensaries and health centres as from 24th July 2007.
Many Kenyan women are unable to deliver at health facilities which are one of the major key interventions for reducing maternal and newborn deaths.
The public and the Ministry of Health have the capacity to prevent maternal deaths by providing family planning and strengthening referral services.
In Kenya, it’s estimated that 1 in 200 pregnant women die every year: that is why the abolishing of delivery fees which will apply in 2000 dispensaries and 500 public health centres, will come in handy.
This new policy is part of the on going reforms aimed at increasing access to health services and improving the quality of health services provided at public health facilities.
During the last financial year (20006/2007) the Government used over 2 billion shillings to equip and rehabilitate all public health facilities in the utilization of maternity services.
Over the last 2 years the Government has recruited about 4200 health workers and deployed them to rural health facilities.
To strengthen referral system, 80 ambulances were procured last year and are currently in use in various parts of the country.
The Government plans to have a functional sub-district hospital in every constituency able to offer compressive package of services including surgical services.
In the above regards, the Ministry of Health will work very closely with the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and Members of Parliament to upgrade existing health facilities.
The Government reaffirms it’s commitment to improving the health of women whom, we loose annually due to delivery complications.