Thousands of newborns delivered annually at Pumwani Maternity Hospital are set to benefit from improved neonatal care following the establishment of a modern newborn unit equipped with advanced technology and infrastructure aimed at reducing infant mortality.
The upgraded Newborn Unit (NBU), which includes a central heating system, is expected to significantly lower newborn deaths associated with hypothermia while strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare services at Kenya’s largest maternity facility.
Tackling the Challenge of Hypothermia
Pumwani Maternity Hospital, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, records between 80 and 90 births every day. However, newborn hypothermia has remained a major challenge for the facility over the years.
According to Dr. Chris Mugambi, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, hypothermia has been a silent threat to newborn survival.
“An invisible enemy has been affecting many newborns, particularly those unable to regulate their body temperature,” said Dr. Mugambi.
He noted that the installation of the central heating system has already yielded positive results.
“The central heating component has enabled us to achieve above 75 per cent improvement in thermal regulation outcomes, saving infant lives despite the growing demand for services,” he added.
M-PESA Foundation Invests KES 13 Million
The upgrade was funded through a KES 13 million investment by the M-PESA Foundation under its Uzazi Salama programme, which seeks to reduce maternal and infant mortality across the country.
The initiative aligns with the World Health Organisation’s Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere (EWENE) action plan and supports Kenya’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Three on Good Health and Well-being.
Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joseph Ogutu said the partnership demonstrates a commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
“We are delighted by the impact of this partnership with Nairobi County Government and Pumwani Maternity Hospital. It enables us to improve the health and well-being of women and children while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals,” Ogutu said.
Pumwani Handles One in Ten Births in Kenya
Nairobi County Chief Officer for Medical Services Mariam Dahir highlighted the significance of the facility, noting that Pumwani accounts for approximately 10 per cent of all births in Kenya.
“This means we are responsible for about one in every ten maternal cases in the country,” she said.
Dahir added that the new neonatal unit will strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services while supporting the county government’s efforts to improve health outcomes.
“As a county, we receive this support with gratitude and look forward to continued partnerships and the possibility of extending similar interventions to other facilities within Nairobi City County,” she said.
Boosting Maternal and Newborn Care
Health officials believe the improved newborn unit will enhance clinical capacity, strengthen referral services and contribute to better survival rates among newborns.
The intervention is expected to have a lasting impact on maternal and child health, particularly at a facility that serves thousands of mothers and babies every month.
M-PESA Foundation’s Continued Social Investments
Since its establishment in 2010, the M-PESA Foundation has implemented large-scale projects focused on health, education, environmental conservation and integrated livelihoods, reaching more than three million people across Kenya.
In the health sector, the Foundation has invested in programmes such as Uzazi Salama and Daktari Smart, a telemedicine initiative that provides medical care to children in hard-to-reach counties.
Through continued partnerships, the Foundation aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes while supporting sustainable development across the country.