Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has praised Garissa County for improving maternal and newborn healthcare after the county recorded no deaths among mothers giving birth since April 2026.
Speaking during the official opening of the fourth Devolution Sensitisation Week at the Young Muslim Junior School Grounds in Garissa, Duale described the achievement as a major milestone for the county’s health sector.
The Cabinet Secretary attributed the progress to strengthened leadership, coordination and health-sector transformation under Governor Nathif Jama’s administration.
He commended the county government for prioritising maternal and newborn health services, saying the reforms implemented across the county were already protecting mothers and saving lives.
Duale noted that effective coordination within the county health system had helped improve the delivery of essential services to expectant mothers and newborns. He said Garissa’s progress demonstrated the impact of focused leadership and sustained investment in healthcare.
The achievement also reflects the county’s efforts to strengthen services provided to women throughout pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period, when mothers and newborns require close medical attention.
Invoking a Somali proverb about the importance of leaving a lasting legacy, Duale said Governor Jama was building a strong legacy through the ongoing transformation of Garissa’s health sector.
He urged the county leadership and healthcare workers to sustain the gains and continue strengthening systems that ensure mothers can access safe and quality services during childbirth.
The announcement formed part of the opening activities of Devolution Sensitisation Week, which brings together national and county government officials, stakeholders and residents to highlight the achievements, opportunities and impact of devolved governance.
Garissa County’s progress in maternal and newborn healthcare was presented as an example of how effective county-level leadership and coordination can translate into better services and improved outcomes for communities.
The milestone is expected to encourage further investment in health infrastructure, skilled personnel and service delivery to ensure that every mother and newborn in the county receives timely and appropriate care.