A silent emergency is unfolding in the rugged terrain of West Pokot, where over 60 percent of women still give birth at home, far from the reach of skilled medical care. This grim statistic has forced the county government into a desperate race against time to modernise its health infrastructure and save lives before they are lost to preventable complications.

Governor Simon Kachapin has declared war on the cultural and logistical barriers that keep women from hospitals. In a region where tradition and geography often conspire against maternal safety, the county is rolling out an aggressive strategy to bring the hospital to the village. The administration is not just building walls; it is building trust, recruiting partners like the M-PESA Foundation and Amref Health Africa to plug the gaping holes in the healthcare net.

The Fistula Scourge

The cost of home births is measured in more than just mortality; it is measured in dignity. West Pokot records over 90 new cases of obstetric fistula annually—a devastating injury caused by prolonged, obstructed labour that leaves women ostracised and incontinent. The partnership has already admitted 71 patients for reconstructive surgery, with 35 successful operations completed, effectively giving these women a second chance at life.

“Seeing mothers return home confident, dignified and healthy is the true impact of this partnership,” Governor Kachapin stated. His administration has integrated fistula care into routine hospital services, ensuring that this condition is treated not as a curse, but as a medical emergency requiring immediate, free intervention.

• Boots on the Ground: To bridge the gap, 300 Community Health Promoters have been trained to act as the eyes and ears of the system, detecting danger signs early and encouraging facility-based deliveries.
• Capacity Building: 50 healthcare workers have received advanced training in maternal care, and over 400 new medical staff were recruited last year alone to staff the expanding network of facilities.

A Pipeline of Hope

The county’s strategy relies on creating a "referral pipeline" that connects the most remote manyatta to a modern ward. Health Executive Claire Parklea emphasises that the goal is to catch complications before they become death sentences. By equipping facilities and training staff, West Pokot is attempting to reverse decades of neglect.

As new maternity wings rise in the hills, the message is clear: no woman should die bringing life into the world. The battle is far from won, but for the first time, the odds are beginning to shift in favour of the mothers of West Pokot.