Kenya’s infant mortality worse than Uganda

The infant mortality rate in Kenya remains higher compared to other East Africa states, new data by a UN-led action group shows, signalling weaknesses in the country’s health systems.

Of every 1,000 babies born in Kenya, 23 die before the end of their first month, the UN inter-agency group for child mortality estimation says in a report for 2017.

This places Kenya behind Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in terms of survival rates for newborns.

Rwanda boasts of the highest survival rate for newborns in East Africa.

The country reduced mortality rate by half from 41 who die out of 1,000 in 1990 to 16 in 2016.

Uganda is the second safest for newborns with 21 deaths reported for every 1,000 deliveries. The mortality rate for infants in Tanzania stands at 22 deaths for every 1,000 born.

Rwanda’s success story is linked to strong investment in healthcare systems with a priority in improving safety of deliveries and newborns especially among the poor and marginalised households.

Kenya only beats South Sudan and Burundi in terms of infant mortality rates. South Sudan has the highest child mortality rate in East Africa where children born face worst odds.

Of every 1,000 babies born in South Sudan, 38 die before the end of their first month. Burundi is ranked second worst with 24 deaths for every 1,000 births.

The high child mortality rates in South Sudan and Burundi is linked to the fragile state of the two countries.

In the restive South Sudan, tens of thousands of people have died and an estimated 4.5 million people have fled their homes since clashes between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those allied to former vice president Riek Machar broke out in the oil-rich new country in 2013.

In Burundi, intermittent clashes have been witnessed despite a peace deal that ended a decade of civil war between the Tutsi-dominated army and Hutu rebels, in which 300,000 people were killed.

A decision by President Pierre Nkurunziza to run for a third term in 2015, which opponents said violated the terms of the peace deal, has exacerbated the situation and triggered clashes resulting in hundreds of deaths.

Nearly 430,000 people have fled Burundi.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) urges for universal health coverage to help deal with infant mortality with focus on four main pillars including; functional health facilities, with electricity and clean water, midwives and other health workers equipped with training and tools, life-saving drugs and equipment.