Dishon Amanya – Bungoma
Smart Start Initiative Launched In Bungoma To Curb Infant Mortalities And Enhance Survival Of Newborn Babies.
The County Government of Bungoma in partnership with Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET) has launched a project dubbed smart start initiative to help in curbing child deaths in the Lake Region.
The project that is running in the 14 counties of the Lake Region Economic bloc is aimed at nurturing early childhood development.
Speaking to journalists after the launch of the project on Monday, Monicah Ogutu, the Executive director, said that nurturing care for early childhood development programs is a global initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and implemented by member countries.
Further she added that the aim of the project is to ensure that all children aged 0- 1,000 days not only survive but thrive and develop to their full potential.
She stated that the program works under five components namely; good health, adequate nutrition, safety and security, opportunities for early learning and responsible care giving.
The initiative majorly targets children born from teen mothers since these children are the most affected when it comes to early childhood development.
The project is spearheaded by first- ladies in the Lake Region Economic bloc counties.
Bungoma deputy governor Pastor Jenipher Mbatiany has applauded KMET for initiating the smart start program noting that Bungoma is one of the most affected counties when it comes to matters of teenage pregnancy.
Mbatiany, however, noted that data from the ministry of health and sanitation indicates that teenage pregnancy cases have dropped from 21 to 19 percent affirming that with the launch of the smart start initiative the numbers will decrease even more.
Also present were Bungoma first lady Dr. Margret Lusaka, Kakamega first lady Prof. Janet Barasa among other Lake Region Economic Bloc first ladies.
