National EMONC Workshop Boosts Quality of Maternity and Newborn Care

The County Department of Health Services, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Henike, on Friday concluded a 10-day National Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EMONC) Mentorship Trainers Standardization Workshop.

The training aims to strengthen the quality of maternity and newborn services across the county. It brought together healthcare workers from high-volume maternity facilities and focused on harmonizing EMONC training approaches to ensure safe, consistent, and effective care. 

Participants received hands-on training in critical areas, including newborn resuscitation, equipment care and maintenance, simulation drills, and evidence-based management of obstetric and newborn emergencies.

A total of 23 facility-based EMONC mentors graduated from the program and will now spearhead on-the-job mentorship, peer learning, and quality improvement initiatives in their respective health facilities.

Speaking during the workshop, Clinical Services Chief Officer Ambrose Tarus emphasized the importance of mentorship in strengthening health systems, noting that equipping healthcare providers with practical skills enhances ownership, accountability, and the sustainability of quality care.

He added that the initiative is expected to improve timely decision-making and emergency response, ultimately contributing to the reduction of preventable maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.

The training placed strong emphasis on evidence-based maternity and newborn care as a critical strategy for saving lives. By improving healthcare providers’ competence in managing obstetric and newborn emergencies, the initiative strengthens timely decision-making, referral systems, and life-saving interventions at the facility level.