NAIROBI, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese operator of Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) commuter train on Thursday donated 100 boxes containing items that are required to boost health of mothers and their new born babies at a slum in the capital Nairobi. Mo Kun, deputy general manager of Afristar Railway Operation Company said that donation of the health kit containing 18 essential items will greatly boost the safety of mothers who are about to deliver and their newborn babies.
He said that essential items contained in the boxes that include anti-biotic, disinfectants, beddings, towels, mosquito nets and family planning commodities, will help shield mothers and newborns from life-threatening infections.
He said the SGR operator is keen to strengthen partnership with community to promote maternal and infant health in financially constrained settings.
The comprehensive health package donated by SGR operator through a partnership with Toto Care Box, a grassroots health promotion agency, will help protect mothers and infants from fatal ailments like malaria, neonatal sepsis, diarrhea and pneumonia.
Lucy Kaigutha, founder and director of Toto Care Box said the kit whose retail price is 3000 shillings (30 U.S Dollars), will reduce maternal and infant deaths that are rampant in urban slums.
"The boxes have been used as an incentive to encourage pregnant mothers to give birth in accredited health facilities where the risk of post-delivery infections are minimal," said Kaigutha.
Kennedy Kipchumba, chief executive officer of Lengo Medical Clinic located in Nairobi's Mukuru Kaiyaba slums said that a partnership with SGR operator and Toto Care Box, has provided lifeline to pregnant mothers and their newborns.
Government statistics indicate that 39,000 newborns die annually from preventable causes while 17 women lose their lives daily while giving birth.
