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.
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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:
Overall Objective: To explore the menstrual health and hygiene management practices and challenges among adolescent girls in Kenya Specific objectives To explore the menstrual health and hygiene management practices and challenges among in and out of school adolescent girls
The overarching objective of this study was to provide an estimate of the prevalence of sexual violence among school-going children and to assess their attitude and confidence in the police, which determines their reporting of these cases. Scope: Kilifi,
Goal: To end the climate of impunity around defilement, thereby contributing to the prevention of sexual violence against children aged 10-16 years old in Kenya. To raise awareness on the rights of children and defilement victims around the legal
Goal: Strengthening of evidence-based advocacy for adolescent sexual and reproductive health Scope: Homa Bay, Kilifi, Kwale, Nairobi, Kakamega, Makueni, Mombasa, Meru, Kitui, Barissa, Marsabit, West Pokot, Nakuru, Bungoma Impact: Supported national SRH/AYSRH policies and county CIDPs. Trained 100 youth
Study in 7 counties (Marsabit, Homa Bay, Bungoma, Busia, Trans Nzoia, Migori, and Kisumu) to assess current ASRH service provision practices specifically on: current trend of ASRH services current policy, programmatic, and social environment attitude of stakeholders, including county
International Centre for Reproductive Health -Kenya (ICRHK), in partnership with FHI, is implementing an alcohol harm reduction intervention study among female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya. With funding from the Public Health Evaluation (PHE) component of PEPFAR, the study
International Centre for Reproductive Health -Kenya (ICRHK), is implementing a multi-country observational and mathematical modeling study on estimating female sex workers’ early HIV risk and its implications for HIV epidemic control. With funding from the Canadian Institute of Health
International Centre for Reproductive Health -Kenya (ICRHK), in partnership with Ghent University and NASCOP, is conducting an intervention study in Mombasa County to develop and test a digital peer support system that improves access to health information and enhances
Through funding from Saving Lives at Birth Grand Challenges for Development (USAID, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada Grand Challenges, UKAID, and the Norwegian Government), International Centre for Reproductive Health -Kenya is conducting a study on the performance of
ICRHK, with funding from USAID through FHI and the International Partnership for Microbicides, is implementing a survey to assess the impact of the IMPACT peer education intervention on the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among
ICRHK, in partnership with the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), Family Health International (IMPACT), and Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), is conducting a study in Mombasa County to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the
Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), conducts a safety and acceptability study of a vaginal ring as a microbicide delivery method for HIV prevention in women. The study is implemented across multiple sites in Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. It assesses
International Centre for Reproductive Health – Kenya (ICRHK) implements the Microbicide Preparedness Study in Mombasa with funding from the International Partnership for Microbicides. The study evaluates the feasibility of establishing a new site for microbicide clinical trials in Mombasa
ICRHK, in collaboration with the PASER networks, PharmAccess Foundation, the Department of Global Health at the Academic Medical Centre of the University of Amsterdam, and the Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, implements the PASER-M study with funding
International Centre for Reproductive Health – Kenya (ICRHK), in partnership with Ghent University and the Belgium Horizons Program, implements the MSW Project in Mombasa with funding from the Population Council. The project combines both an intervention and a research