Kakuma – November 28, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The Department of Health and Sanitation has concluded a three-day sensitisation meeting on Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) and Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Quality of Care (QoC) Standards.
MPDSR is a continuous surveillance system that links health information and quality improvement processes from facility to national levels, ensuring that every maternal and perinatal death is reviewed and lessons are used to prevent future deaths.
Supported by UNFPA and AMREF Health Africa, the training brought together county MPDSR committee members and sub-county public health nurses (SPCPHN), health records officers (SCHRIOs), community health strategy focal persons (SCCHSFP) from all 11 sub-counties, and facility in-charges from the seven sub-county hospitals.
The main objective was to update participants on revisions to the national MPDSR guidelines and to strengthen the quality of reproductive, maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health services across Turkana County.
The Deputy Director for Family Health Services, Gabriel Lopodo emphasised the role of MPDSR in preventing avoidable maternal and neonatal deaths. “We must treat delayed care as a serious threat. MPDSR is not only about reviewing deaths, but also about tracking actions continuously to stop tragedies before they occur,” he said.
The team was reminded of the overarching goal to eliminate preventable maternal and perinatal deaths by gathering accurate information, understanding causes, and translating these findings into targeted action.
MPDSR committees exist at national, county, sub-county, health facility, and community levels, with each committee consisting of between seven and 12 members.
The New MPDSR Guidelines 2024 introduce clearer committee structures, defined roles, and enhanced inclusivity. A mandatory code of conduct protects confidentiality, alongside new guidance on how meetings should be conducted. Community-level structures have been strengthened to ensure maternal and perinatal deaths are reported within 24 hours, followed by Verbal Autopsies within 14 days. Monthly analysis of community death data is now mandatory.
Despite progress, several challenges persist in Kenya’s MPDSR implementation. These include frequent leadership transitions that disrupt continuity, inconsistent and inaccurate data reported to the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS), weak follow-up on action plans, low coverage of perinatal death reviews, and limited guidance on case selection.
The revised guidelines address these gaps by introducing clearer committee roles, a mandatory code of conduct to protect confidentiality, and detailed instructions on how MPDSR meetings should run.
AMREF Health Africa’s Project Officer, Vayonda Ongaya, appreciated the strong representation from all sub-counties. “This level of participation assures us that knowledge and standards will be cascaded effectively. We anticipate more regular MPDSR and quality improvement meetings countywide,” she remarked.
Participants also reflected on the practical benefits of the new tools and standards. Mathew Bundotich, Medical Superintendent at Lokichar Sub-County Hospital and a MPDSR Trainer of Trainers, highlighted the introduction of Near Miss Review forms.
“These tools help committees to document life-threatening complications thoroughly, allowing us to prevent repeat occurrences and deeply understand contributing factors,” he explained.
Frontline staff expressed enthusiasm for the updated guidelines. Sophia Lotini, the SCCHSFP for Kakuma Refugee Camp and Settlement, noted “While we had prior knowledge of MPDSR, the new guidance on digital reporting through E-CHIS will make supervision easier and strengthen accountability,”
From Aroo Sub-County, the SCHRIO, Akine Reinhard welcomed improvements in Quality-of-Care assessment. “The new scoring approach makes it clear whether facilities meet maternal and new-born health standards. This transparency drives facilities to improve,” he noted.
Similarly, Napas Thomas, SCPHN from Turkana North, appreciated exposure to Community Screening and Verbal Autopsy tools for the first time. “These tools empower households to participate and will significantly reduce unreported cases,” he said.
The Kibish SCCHSFP, Shadrack Maraka highlighted the importance of MPDSR committees in remote facilities. “Establishing these committees ensures regular reporting and strengthens links between health workers and the community,” he shared.
As the sensitization came to a close, participants affirmed their commitment to applying the new guidelines and strengthening collaboration across all levels of care.
Ekaale Eremon, Project Officer at Imarisha Jamii was also in attendance, reinforcing the collective approach to improving maternal and new-born outcomes in Turkana.
Story by: Esther Mwangi, Assistant Director – Public Communication and Media Relations
