SPEECH BY HEALTH MINISTER DURING CEREMONY TO

PRESENT A MOBILE CLINIC BY FIRST LADY

By GPS
Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Health Dr Cleophus Mailu says the country has made tremendous progress in
improvement of maternal and child health.
He explained that according to the Kenya Demographic Health Indicators Survey 2014 the country has achieved
positive strides in efforts to ensure maternal and child health.
Our Country has made tremendous progress in improvement of maternal and child health indicators as evidenced in
the KDHS report of 2014, he explained.
He added: The number of maternal and child deaths is declining largely because of our sustained interventions by
both levels of governments and our development and implementing partners.
For instance, a child born today has a better chance of survival compared to a few years ago, thank to improved
health care ranging from better antenatal care, scale up of skilled deliveries and near saturation immunization
coverage., he added.
Mailu made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by acting Director of Medical Services Dr Jackson Kioko at
Mbale High School grounds during the presentation of the Beyond Zero Mobile Clinic by First Lady Margret
Kenyatta to Vihiga County yesterday.
Vihiga governor Moses Akaranga, Deputy Governor Caleb Amaswache, County Secretary Linet Abdalla, County
Committee Member for Health Zilpa Andiva and County Commissioner Apollo Okelo were present.
He added that Vihiga County Referral hospital was among top ten health facilities in terms of provision of quality
health services.
Vihiga County shares in this success story with over 90% Anti Natal Care (ANC) attendance and over 91% of
children being fully immunized, he explained
He commended Akaranga for the good initiatives his government through the Department of Health, has put in place
that enabled them achieve such success.
I also take note that Vihiga County has done very well in Combating HIV. With a prevalence of 3.8%, its estimated
that there are about 12,000 people living with HIV.
Out of these over 90% adults and about 60% children are on ART, he explained.
Whereas this is commendable, we must recognize that Vihiga County sits at the crossroads of the high burden HIV
counties. This together with the road networks traversing this county, and the free movement of people, we must
invest in HIV prevention strategies to keep the new infection in check, he noted.
Akaranga said that he was happy that Health Minister recognized what his administration was doing to ensure access
to quality health care.
Many people have been spreading propaganda about our referral hospital and I am happy that the minister has
answered such haters, he added
He thanked the First Lady for delivering the mobile clinic adding that the move will supplement efforts his
government was making to ensure that majority access health services.