lowereas
In a major boost to the county’s health sector, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership between Makueni County and Africa Vitamin Angels to combat malnutrition and curb rising cases of teenage pregnancies.
The agreement, signed today in Wote, marks the launch of a pilot Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) program the first of its kind in the country making Makueni the first county in Kenya to adopt the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended initiative.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Governor Mutula described the partnership as a “God-sent opportunity” for the people of Makueni, noting that anaemia levels in the county are still alarmingly high at 47%. He emphasized that improved nutrition for women and children is one of his administration’s top priorities, as it directly impacts the county’s long-term development prospects.
“This is a bold step in fighting malnutrition and building a healthier population. We cannot afford to ignore the rising trends in teenage pregnancies and anaemia. Both are quiet but dangerous pandemics that require urgent action,” said the Governor.
The new initiative will use an implementation science approach that will allow Makueni’s technical working group, in collaboration with Vitamin Angels, to generate local data and develop effective strategies for scaling the MMS program across the county and beyond.
Dr. Lucy Konya, Senior Regional Technical Director at Vitamin Angels, praised the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and lauded the county for taking the lead in improving maternal and child health. She assured the Governor of Vitamin Angels’ full support in both the fight against malnutrition and the reduction of cases of adolescent pregnancy, which remains a major driver of premature births.
With Makueni County blazing the trail on this WHO-recommended health intervention, other counties are expected to closely watch the outcomes with a view of rolling out similar programs in their jurisdictions.
Governor Mutula reiterated his call on all stakeholders, including the national government and development partners, to support local efforts that address the health challenges facing young mothers.
“This partnership places Makueni at the forefront of public health innovation,” he said. “We intend to use this opportunity to protect the well-being of our mothers and children, and ultimately secure the future of our county.”
Ends///…
