Okoa Mama na Mtoto (Maternal and Newborn Survival) Initiative (OMMI)

The Okoa Mama na Mtoto initiative, also known as OMMI, is a 3 year Gates Funded collaborative effort in Kenya aimed at accelerating the reduction of maternal and newborn deaths. It focuses on advocating for improved quality of maternal and newborn care, increased domestic funding for maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition efforts (MNCH + N), and advocating for policies that protect the health of women and children.

Donor

Background

Despite notable progress in increasing coverage and access to maternal and newborn health initiatives, Kenya remains significantly off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 12 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. Many of the solutions needed to accelerate progress are well known by local experts. There is a need for coordinated action so that priorities are translated into national and sub-national plans and budgets, that committed funds flow through the system and that community-led accountability efforts feed into decision-making.

Under the leadership of the International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, the Okoa Mama na Mtoto – Maternal and Newborn Survival – Initiative (OMMI) brings together a host of partners to fast-track progress towards the maternal and newborn SDGs in Kenya. Partners include Options Consultancy Services (Options), Ushiriki Wema, KOGs, KMTC, Lwala Community Alliance, County Youth RH Networks, Shina Foundation, Fountain of Hope, FANIKISHA, Ollwi/Touch a Life, WPWD and Wanahabari.

Working at the national and sub-national level in priority geographies, OMMI aims to achieve the following by 2027:

  • Increased adoption of policies that enable scaling for MNCH best buys
  • Increased quantity and quality of domestic funding for maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH)
  • Improved execution of policies prioritising MNCH

Stories and News

The In-Their-Hands -ITH-DIB

Key partners: Health  Research for Action Donor: FCDO Scope: Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kilifi, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nyamira, Siaya, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga. Programming in Uasin Gishu was halted in June 2021 and programming was

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TPM DESIP- Third Party Monitoring (TPM)

Key partners: Aga Khan University (AKU) and Hera consultants Donor: Health Research for Action-FCDO Scope: Migori, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Narok, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa   Objectives

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Gender Based Violence Recovery Centre (GBVRC)
Gender Based Violence Recovery Centre (GBVRC)

Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centre (GBVRC) is an integrated, hospital-based model of care for survivors of sexual violence, located at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) in Mombasa, Kenya. Established in 2007 through a collaboration between the International Centre for Reproductive Health-Kenya (ICRHK,

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first time mothers
First Time Young Mothers Project (Phase 1)

Funded by UNFPA and implemented by International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya (ICRHK) in partnership with the Kilifi County Department of Health Services, the First Time Young Mothers (FTYM) Project was established to demonstrate best practices in providing comprehensive

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Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI)

Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented by International Centre for Reproductive Health–Kenya (ICRHK), the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI) is a three-year project implemented across Kenya. The project aims to reduce maternal and newborn

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Nuru ya vijan
Nuru ya Vijana (2024–2026)

Funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany (BMZ) and German Doctors, this 23-month project focuses on young female sex workers (YFSWs) and young transgender persons (YTGs) aged 15–24 in Kilifi County. Partners include Kilifi County

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TPM DESIP- Third Party Monitoring (TPM) (2022 -2024)

Key partners: Aga Khan University (AKU) and Hera consultants Donor: Health Research for Action-FCDO Scope: Migori, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Narok, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa Objectives ICRHK,

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ASRH

Key partners: KMET, CHMT of (Busia, Homabay, Marsabit, Kisumu, Bungoma, Transnzoia, Migori, Kisumu, and Marsabit) Duration: May 2023 – to date Scope: Busia, Homabay, Marsabit, Kisumu, Bungoma, Transnzoia, Migori, and Kisumu Objective To evaluate the barriers and facilitators of

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ASRHR Advocacy Study
ASRHR Advocacy Study: Facilitators and Barriers of Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health in Kenya: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Approach – USAID through MCGL – Momentum Country and Global Leadership – (Dec 2023- Oct 2024)

Key partners: NCPD, USAID Scope: Marsabit, West Pokot, Kakamega, Homabay Main Objective The main aim of the study was to explore the barriers to and facilitators of adolescent sexual reproductive health information and services among adolescent girls in Kenya.

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