UNICEF Kenya partnership, Kilifi
The health status of children and women in Kenya has not improved over the last 15 years—in fact it has been deteriorating. The last Demographic Health Survey showed that infant mortality had risen from 70 to 77 per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality had risen from 110 - 115 per 1,000 live births. These figures mask a huge range across the country and the coastal province of Kilifi has figures higher than the national average. There, the current immunization coverage of children under the age of one is low at around 41%. Kilifi is one of 23 districts with a large number of unvaccinated children, estimated to be around 3,000. Without vaccinations, approximately one in ten of these children will die before reaching their fifth birthday.The district has a population of around 665,847, of which around 133,170 are children under five, and 33,300 are pregnant/lactating women. The main causes of childhood mortality are: malaria, diarrhea and acute respiratory infections all exacerbated by malnutrition.
When Amway South Africa decided to partner with UNICEF Kenya, the Ministry of Health suggested focusing their support in Kalifi. The goal of the partnership is to contribute to the reduction of infant and maternal mortality and to help Kenya achieve the Millennium Development Goals by strengthening the delivery of Essential Health Services for women and children, with a specific focus on immunizing unvaccinated children.
Amway South Africa's partnership with UNICEF Kenya is expected to:
- Increase immunization of children under the age of one from 40 percent to 70 percent and pregnant women by December 2007
- Increase number of children sleeping under insecticide treated bed nets from less than six percent to greater than 60 percent
- Contribute to the provision of an effective cold chain system in Kilifi district
- Increase Vitamin A uptake in children under the age of five
- Improve diagnosis and treatment of malaria in children
