The Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Bill, 2023, has been introduced in the National Assembly.

The Bill sponsored by Sen. Beatrice Ogolla in the Senate and co-sponsored by the Committee of Health in the National Assembly seeks to enhance the health rights and quality of care for mothers, newborns, and children across Kenya.

If enacted a coordinated healthcare system focusing on reducing maternal and child mortality and addressing health disparities among women and children nationwide would be established.

The principal object of the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Bill, 2023 is to set a comprehensive legal framework that supports accessible and quality healthcare for women, infants, and children.

Clause 1-4 of the Bill outlines key principles for delivering health services, including accessibility and equity. These principles would ensure that all women and children, including pregnant adolescents and vulnerable groups, receive adequate care.

"A person seeking maternal, newborn, and child health services in any health care facility is entitled to be treated with courtesy and respect irrespective of their race, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth courteous treatment," reads the Bill in part.

If passed, the Bill would create an integrated approach to healthcare delivery, bolstering collaboration between national and county governments and ensuring a sound funding strategy.

Further sections of the Bill detail specific healthcare services required for women and children up to the age of twelve. These include specialized services for pregnant women with unique needs.

Every hospital or approved health facility to maintain a register for recording the details of the maternal, newborn and childcare cases reported and dealt with in the hospital or facility and that hospital, institution or health facility offering maternal, newborn and child health care services shall adhere to procedures, standards, code of ethics and guidelines as may be prescribed under this Act or any other written law, if the Bill is passed.

Both national and county governments would have defined roles, with the national government setting policy direction and county governments focusing on local implementation.

Clause 20-22 of the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Bill, 2023 introduces a monitoring and evaluation framework to identify vulnerable groups and assess the quality of services.

The Bill proposes that the Cabinet Secretary for Health have regulatory oversight, including setting standards and maintaining service registers (clauses 23-26). This measure is intended to safeguard healthcare providers acting in good faith, fostering an environment where quality maternal, newborn, and child healthcare can thrive.

The Bill has been committed to the Committee on Health.