By PPH Foundation

While national policies set the framework for safe motherhood, real progress happens in communities and health facilities where women give birth every day. The PPH Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi, the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS), and the Midwives Association of Kenya, continues to drive this transformation in Kenya, translating policy into practice through targeted interventions that prevent postpartum haemorrhage and strengthen health systems from the ground up.

Founded with a vision to end preventable maternal deaths, the Foundation applies a multi-pronged approach: training, advocacy, innovation, and community outreach, ensuring that no woman dies from a cause that can be detected, managed, or prevented.

Prof Moses Obimbo, the end-PPH Initiative Project Lead under the PPH Foundation, notes that their work bridges the crucial gap between knowledge and implementation. “Our focus is to bridge the distance between policy and practice,” he says. “We train health workers, support hospitals with essential supplies, and work closely with county governments to ensure maternal health guidelines are implemented effectively.”

Aligned with the 2023 World Health Organization guidelines, the Foundation has integrated the use of the PPH treatment bundle, combining uterotonic drugs, uterine massage, tranexamic acid, and intravenous fluids, into its training programmes. These practical skills are reinforced through simulation-based workshops and mentorship sessions targeting midwives, nurses, and clinical officers who are often first responders during childbirth.

Prof Anne Kihara, the immediate former president of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and a co-lead in the e-PPH Initiative project, underscores the importance of country-led ownership. “Kenya is demonstrating that global standards can be effectively applied locally when there is leadership, coordination, and investment,” she says. “The PPH Foundation has shown how evidence-based interventions can save lives at scale.”

The Foundation has also partnered with the Ministry of Health and county governments to roll out the ROAMING Blood Initiative, designed to improve access to safe blood and blood products during obstetric emergencies. This complements the Foundation’s ongoing support for the introduction of low-cost innovations such as uterine balloon tamponade kits and blood collection drapes, including the new calibrated drape innovation developed by Prof Qureshi of Kenyatta University, which enhances accuracy in blood loss measurement at delivery.

Prof Julius Ogeng’o, Co-Lead at the E-PPH Initiative, says the link between academia and practice is essential. “Research must inform real-world solutions,” he notes. “By supporting innovations like calibrated drapes and advancing training based on the latest WHO recommendations, we are building a pipeline of practical, lifesaving knowledge.”

Dr Frederick Kireki Omanwa, President of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, adds that these interventions are already improving maternal outcomes. “Facilities that have received training and tools report faster response times, better coordination, and a significant reduction in maternal complications,” he says.

At the community level, the Foundation continues to mobilise families, traditional birth attendants, and community health volunteers through education and outreach. As Dr Eunice Atsali explains, “We empower communities to recognise danger signs early and support mothers to deliver under skilled care. Change begins with awareness.”

Through partnerships, research, and frontline empowerment, the PPH Foundation exemplifies how local action drives national impact. As Prof Obimbo reflects, “Every life saved is proof that evidence works when applied with purpose. The progress we make in one hospital or one county brings us closer to ending preventable maternal deaths.”

Sources
• PPH Foundation Annual Impact Report, 2024
• World Health Organization, Recommendations on the Assessment of Postpartum Blood Loss and Use of a Treatment Bundle for Postpartum Haemorrhage, 2023
• WHO Roadmap to Combat Postpartum Haemorrhage, 2023–2030
• Kenya Ministry of Health, Maternal and Newborn Health Roadmap, 2023
• Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, Training Outcomes Report, 2024
• PPH Foundation Expert Interviews, 2025
• University of Nairobi Research Highlights, 2024