Kenya Healthcare Federation and Inteleos hosted the Maternal Health Summit themed Improving Maternal – Fetal Outcomes Through Access to Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS). The forum brought together key stakeholders and thought leaders to discuss how to improve maternal-fetal outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa through access to diagnostic Point of Care Ultrasound and upcoming innovations and opportunities in emerging markets.
Dale Cyr, CEO, Inteleos and Dr. Walter Obita, Board Director, Kenya Healthcare Federation made their opening remarks thanking all the attendees for coming to the forum while highlighting the key goals and desired outcomes of the forum. Prof. Dr. Marleen Temmerman, Director, Center of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University East Africa gave a her remarks on Quality healthcare as a roadmap to achieving Universal Health Coverage. She highlighted on Millennium Development Goals and Global Strategy for women’s and children’s health (2011-2015).
Chief Guest, Dr. judith Awinja Aluora, Director of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health, Kenya officially opened the forum by giving her remarks on the vision 2030 flagship programs on maternal data. i.e The Linda Mama Program/free maternity cover. Prof. Dr. Tammary Esho, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Amref International University (AMIU) shared her insights on on the importance of Human Resource for Health Capacity Building by addressing the Human Resources for Health capacity gap.
Dale Cyr, CEO and Pamela Ruiz, CAE, CBDO, Inteleos gave their presentations on Building an Ecosystem to Improve Outcomes for Patients, Clinicians, Health Systems, and Communities. Highlights on WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021-2025 Strategic Directions. This will reduce maternal mortality in Kenya by 10% in 5 years and increase educational and job opportunities for women in nursing and midwifery.
Kenya Healthcare Federation members present at the Maternal Health Summit benefited through leading and participating in panel discussions; and attending as delegates. Dr. Dennis Okaka, Vice Chair, Health Financing Committee, KHF led a panel discussion on Barriers and Enablers that Influence Utilization of Ultrasound Screening Services among Antenatal Women, together with Joseph Mutweleli, Head of Partnerships, Jacaranda Health Solutions, Priscilla Ngunju, Amref International University (AMIU) and Jaime Fiorucci, CEO, HealthEd Global. Dr. Walter Obita, Board Director, KHF led a panel discussion on Innovative Financing solutions to increase access and uptake of OEM solutions, together with kennedy Okong’o, Director East Africa, Medical Credit Fund Africa | PharmAccess Group, Angela Muga, MBA Sector Head Health, Co-operative Bank of Kenya and Dr. Eric Mbuthia Kanyi, CMO, Ilara Health. Faith Muigai,MSN,RN,CNRN, Inteleos led a panel discussion on The role of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in innovating and designing tools to address needs in low-resource settings together with Dr. Muthoni Ntonjira MD, MMed(Anaesth), MBA, Health Systems District Leader, Philips East Africa, Alexander Oketch – Regional Project Development Director, GE Healthcare and Enya Séguin, Delft Imaging. Dr. Simon Kigondu, President, Kenya Medical Association led a panel discussion on The role of Academia and Professional Associations in defining scope of practice and tailoring curricula to incorporate innovations and evidenced based practice, together with Dr. Eunice Ndirangu-Mugo, Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Aga Khan University, PENINA MULWA, Midwife, ReaMedica Healthcare, Dr. Kelly Oluoch, CEO, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and Prof. Dr. miriam wagoro, University of Nairobi. Dr. Vera Manduku, Chair, Kenya Society for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology led a panel discussion on Accelerating specialization: Training and certification together with Dr. Ruth Wamae, Hon. National Treasurer, Kenya Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo. RN,MPH,CGNC, CEO, Nursing Council of Kenya, Mr. Jevas Kenyanya – President, Society-of Radiography in Kenya and Ibrahim Wako, CEO, Clinical Officers Council of Kenya.
Dr. Micah matiang’i, Dean School of Medical Sciences and the Director of Open, Distance and eLearning programs, Amref International University (AMIU) sharing his Insights on Human resources in Lower – Middle Income Countries. He emphasized on the challenges facing HRH and a Framework for operationalizing global HRH strategy while highlighting adoption of Digital Health Innovations such as Telemedicine, Telenursing, Genomics among others.
Diana Dowdy, DNP, CNM, RDMS, FACNM, Inteleos made her remarks on Education, Training, Assessment and Continued Proficiency for Midwives and Clinical Officers. She highlighted on the Global maternal and infant mortality rates while stating the WHO Recommendations on Ultrasound Scan and how it will benefit Midwives and Clinical Officers.
Poonam Vora, Co-Founder, Maitri Capital and Dimitri Syrris, Founder & CEO of Baotree made a presentation on Accelerating specialization: Monitoring and Evaluation emphasizing on performance indicators and data collection. Emphasis was on a baseline study to understand equipment purchase, equipment planning, procurement and maintenance procedures by Health-focused Small and Medium Enterprises (HSMEs) and how it translates into serving their patient population in Kenya.
Faith Muigai,MSN,RN,CNRN, Inteleos led a session on Individual Perspectives provided by Zipporah Mbugua, a midwife who has gone through the POCUS training and Faith Kinya Mbaabu, a benificiary of care offered by the midwife. They shared their lived experiences on the POCUS training and how it benefitted them.
The forum was then open to all attendees through Group discussions to share their insights and draft a 2022 – 2023 Action Plan based on 4 diverse points of view for innovation and action; i.e Policy, Academia/Training, Implementation and Sustainability. Dale Cyr, CEO and Pamela Ruiz, CAE, CBDO, Inteleos gave the closing remarks, charting the way forward and thanking Inteleos, Kenya Healthcare Federation and other stakeholders who arrived at the Maternal Health Summit and made it a success.
