Replicate Beyond Zero across Africa, UN official

A top United Nations official wants the Beyond Zero maternal health delivery model replicated across the African continent.

Prof. Mieko Ikegame said the problems of maternal and child health in Kenya are not unique to the country and the successes of the Beyond Zero initiative should be rolled across Africa.

She said mothers and children in other countries with similar problems were also suffering but there is hope if they emulate the Kenyan Beyond Zero initiative.

Prof. Ikegame was speaking at Westin Hotel, Tokyo, where she met with the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta who is in Japan to attend the World  Assembly for  Women (WAW) 2015 and launch her 3rd edition of the First Lady’s Half Marathon scheduled for March 6th, 2016.

Prof. Mieko described efforts by the First Lady as impressive adding that the 3rd edition of the marathon to be launched in Tokyo, Sunday will raise the necessary awareness among the Japanese.

The Beyond Zero campaign is the brainchild of the First Lady aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing resources to improve maternal and child health in Kenya.

So far, the First Lady has participated in the London Marathon (42 km) in 2014 and the First Lady’s Half Marathon ( 21 km) in Nairobi to raise funds for the initiative.

A total of 32 mobile clinics out of 47 devolved units have already been handed over the county governments where they are making significant positive health contributions to mothers and children in the under served regions.

By PSCU