Ksh 20M Boost For First Lady’s Beyond Zero Campaign

The campaign, initiated by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, on Thursday received a fully equipped mobile clinic worth Ksh 10 million and cheques of a similar amount from organizations and individual supporters.

Speaking at Statehouse Nairobi when she received the donations, the First Lady thanked the donors and expressed optimism that the cause she is championing will ensure a better future for mothers and children.

“The support received from corporates and individuals is amazing. We are running this campaign in support of the less privileged in the society. I am confident that we will succeed,” said the First Lady.

Representatives of the various corporates pledged their support to the campaign ahead of the March 8th, 2015 Nairobi Marathon that aims at creating awareness and raising funds for the remaining 27 mobile clinics.

The ‘Beyond Zero Campaign’ is part of the initiatives outlined in the Strategic Framework for the engagement of the First Lady in HIV/AIDS control and promotion of maternal, newborn and child health in Kenya that was unveiled on World AIDS Day in 2013.

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

The framework aims at galvanizing high-level leadership in ending new HIV infections among children and reducing HIV related deaths among women and children in Kenya.

The strategic framework focuses on five key areas including Accelerating HIV programmes, Influencing investment in high impact activities to promote maternal and child health and HIV control, Mobilizing men as clients, partners and agents of change, Involving communities to address barriers to accessing HIV, maternal and child health services and Providing leadership, accountability and recognition to accelerate the attainment of HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health targets.

According to the Commission on Information and Accountability for Women and Children’s Health 2013 Report, in 2012 alone, more than 100 000 children died before their fifth birthday—largely due to preventable causes. In the same year, 13, 000 new HIV infections occurred among children and 62% of children living with HIV did not access life-saving antiretroviral drugs.

During the launch of the ‘Beyond Zero Campaign’ on January 24th, 2014, the First Lady said she wanted to ‘bring prenatal and postnatal medical treatment to women and children in our country’.

The Beyond zero Campaign has already purchased 20 mobile clinics that have already been distributed to various counties.

By Maureen Murimi