Ushiriki Wema Patron Tessie Musalia (2nd right) , Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan (2nd left) , Makueni First Lady Anita Mutula (right) and Okoa Malaika Brand Ambassador Njoki Mambo carrying babies who were born preterm during the handover six neonatal equipment donation to Makueni, Machakos, and Kitui counties Referral Hospitals during World Prematurity Day.
By Peace Muthoka.
Monday 17th November 2025 – Ushiriki Wema Foundation renewed its commitment to protecting preterm babies as it marked World Prematurity Day with a powerful call to strengthen support systems for mothers, hospitals and frontline health workers. The Foundation held its annual Okoa Malaika event on 17th November 2025, donating neonatal equipment to Makueni, Machakos and Kitui counties under its ongoing preterm mitigation initiative.
This year’s theme, “Give preterm babies a strong start for a hopeful future,” guided an emotional gathering attended by national leaders, health workers, county officials, mothers of preterm babies and the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan. The event highlighted major progress in neonatal care while also exposing the urgent gaps that still place vulnerable infants at risk.
Okoa Malaika Expands Lifesaving Support
Ushiriki Wema Patron Madam Tessie Musalia celebrated the visible improvements in neonatal care, especially at Mother and Child Hospital in Machakos, which recently upgraded its neonatal intensive care unit. She praised the facility for its clean, organized and professional environment and said the high standards reflect a culture of consistency, not a one-day show for visitors.
Madam Tessie also highlighted the growth of Okoa Malaika since its launch two years ago. The program equips level four and five hospitals with incubators and specialized neonatal equipment. It has now reached 22 counties and delivered more than 45 incubators. She thanked the People’s Republic of China for its unwavering support in helping the Foundation expand its reach.
During the event in Makueni County, Madam Tessie thanked Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and First Lady Anita Mutula for hosting the commemoration. She said seeing preterm children who had survived early medical challenges was a reminder that every investment in neonatal care saves lives. She described the children as “little flowers and future footballers”, noting that every incubator placed in a hospital represents a victory for a family, a community and the country.
She also addressed the underlying causes of preterm births and stressed the need to manage medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy. She cited new findings from the World Health Organization showing that climate change is worsening health risks for expectant mothers, newborns and adolescents. She urged health systems to build sustainable models that do not collapse when donor-funded programs end.
A major part of her message focused on strengthening Community Health Promoters. Madam Tessie described CHPs as the link that connects households to hospitals, helping mothers access antenatal services, identifying complications early and ensuring timely referrals. She appealed to government and development partners to invest more in training, resources and long-term support for these frontline workers. She also invited Ambassador Guo Haiyan to explore deeper collaboration in building stronger community health systems.
Call for Extended Maternity Leave for Preterm Mothers
One of the strongest appeals of the day came when Madam Tessie turned attention to the mothers of preterm babies. She said their struggles often remain invisible, even though they endure immense emotional and physical stress during the early weeks of their babies’ lives.
She noted that while most mothers spend maternity leave at home bonding with their infants, mothers of preterm babies spend that same period moving between wards, neonatal incubators and corridors of hospitals. They face fear, exhaustion and uncertainty as they wait for their babies to stabilize.
Madam Tessie called on President William Ruto’s administration, policymakers, employers and development partners to champion extended maternity leave for mothers of preterm infants. She said the current three-month leave does not match the realities of preterm care, where infants often remain hospitalized for weeks or months.
“When we support the mother, we strengthen the child, we uplift the family and we safeguard the future,” she said. She emphasized that extending maternity leave for mothers of preterm babies would provide long-term social and economic benefits.
Chinese Ambassador Guo Haiyan reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting neonatal care in Kenya. She praised Ushiriki Wema for distributing incubators to 22 counties and noted that China has over 3,000 neonatal intensive care units. She pledged continued cooperation with Kenya in neonatal monitoring, obstetric care and specialized medical training.
