The figures for childbirth mortality in Lamu District are amongst the highest in Kenya, and the provision of facilities the lowest. Maternal mortality in Lamu is estimated at over 1,000 per 100,000 live births, compared to the national figure for Kenya of 414 per 100,000 live births.
It is estimated that only 20% of live births currently take place in a health facility. The overall goal for the project is to improve maternal health in the Lamu District in line with the Millennium Development Goal 5 ‘to reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015’.
This will be achieved in four ways:
1. Improved access to the hospital by provision of a maternity shelter for expecting women
2. Upgrade of the current hospital facilities, particularly in the delivery room and operating theatre
3. Improved transport to Lamu hospital for expectant women
4. Increased awareness and education of the benefits of giving birth in a health facility
