Briefing Paper

Improving the implementation of the free-of-charge maternity services programme in Kenya

“The Ministry of Health (MoH) through the Division of Health Research & Development under the SECURE Health programme organised a Science Policy Café that was held on February 12, 2015 to provide a platform where key stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers and implementers/practitioners deliberated on the progress made so far in implementing the free maternity services (FMS) presidential directive issued in 2013. Poor maternal health remains a major challenge in Kenya, with an estimated 488 deaths per 100,000 live births. There
are huge differentials in maternal
mortality across the country’s 47 counties, with 10 counties accounting for nearly 60 percent of all maternal deaths in Kenya.”