By Betty Luke
The Isiolo county government, Aga Khan University’s Institute for Human Development and the Safaricom Foundation have initiated efforts to co-create a Nurturing Care Program geared towards improving maternal and child health outcomes during the first 1,000 days of life.
The first 1000 days are recognized as critical for brain development and long-term well-being.
Stakeholders have already shared their input towards the development of a tailored framework that will enhance responsive caregiving within Isiolo’s hospitals and local communities.
The framework will be used to train health workers in responsive caregiving and early childhood development, empower caregivers with knowledge and confidence, and integrate nurturing care into routine services such as antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), and immunization clinics.
County Health Chief Officer Dr Abdikadir Mohamud said though maternal mortality and malnutrition were the region’s most pressing health challenges, Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan’s administration had taken deliberate steps to address the situation.
“This is mainly through the employment of over 200 nurses and strengthening emergency evacuation services through the purchase of three additional state-of-the-art ambulances,” Dr. Mohamud said during a three-day stakeholders’ workshop on the initiative that is currently in the design phase.
Dr Mohamud cited improved health infrastructure including operating theatres at Garbatula and Merti Sub-County hospitals as well as a fully equipped mother child centre, supported by the Safaricom Foundation among the interventions that have supported maternal health efforts.
A recent situational analysis of 30 health facilities across Isiolo revealed strong commitment to nutrition services but stressed the need for better integration of responsive caregiving, early learning, and child safety into routine health services.
Aga Khan University’s Institute for Human Development Director Prof. Amina Abubakar reiterated the institution’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn health.
Safaricom Foundation’s official Sophia Zubeda Onyango stressed the need to link the Uzazi Salama program with nurturing care initiatives to enable caregivers to better support early learning and proper nutrition.
The program has recorded significant results in Samburu, Lamu, Homa Bay, and Baringo counties, and is currently active in Narok and Kilifi.
“We are deliberate on a county-led model (that could be replicated in other counties) where Aga Khan University provides technical excellence and the Foundation supports system strengthening,” she said.
