The Afya Uzazi Salama maternal health campaign was recently launched by the Safaricom Foundation in collaboration with AMREF.
The goal of the programme is to improve reproductive, maternal, neo-natal, child, and adolescent health outcomes (RMNCAH), which is in accordance with the 2023-2026 health plan of the Safaricom Foundation.
Afya Uzazi Salama is a plan that will be implemented in Narok County in its initial year, where it hopes to have an impact on 158,000 recipients. The programme will run for a total of three years. AMREF is expected to donate KES 11.8 million, and the Safaricom Foundation has pledged KES 61 million for the first year of the partnership.
Afya Uzazi Salama will contribute to the advancement of health initiatives for women of reproductive age, newborns, children under the age of five, teenage girls, and young women. In addition, the initiative will expand community-based interventions with the goal of increasing access to and demand for health services, notably in the areas of maternal and child health as well as non-communicable diseases.
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Remarks from the governor of Narok County
The Governor of Narok County, His Excellency Patrick Ole Ntutu, delivered a speech during the launch of the project, saying:“As a County, we will support implementation of Afya Uzazi Salama by setting up policies and availing the infrastructure and technical expertise needed to make it a success, so that our people can access quality health services.”
“AMREF is keen on strategic partnerships that can help us fulfill our goals in health, and together with Safaricom Foundation, we can make a considerable difference towards improving the health and well-being of mothers and children in Narok County through Afya Uzazi Salama,” said Mr. Gilbert Wangalwa, Deputy Country Director Amref Kenya.
Remarks from the chairman of Safaricom Foundation
“As Safaricom Foundation celebrates its 20 year-anniversary, we are keen to continue transforming lives, and health is one of our strategic pillars. By collaborating with the County Government of Narok and AMREF on Afya Uzazi Salama, we seek to improve maternal and child health outcomes in the county, especially in remote areas,” said Joseph Ogutu, Chairman, Safaricom Foundation.
During this time, another one of Safaricom’s charitable organisations, the M-Pesa Foundation, conducted a medical camp in Narok County in collaboration with Zuri Health and Lions Eye Hospital. More than 3,000 people took advantage of the opportunity to receive medical care at the camp. As part of the activity, patients who received treatment at the medical camp will have the opportunity to get free follow-up consultations over SMS and WhatsApp for a period of up to six months. Users are able to add three dependents to their account, each of whom will receive free medical advice from licenced professionals.
About Safaricom Foundation
Safaricom PLC’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policy formed Safaricom Foundation in 2003. The plan strives to ensure Safaricom is a responsible business entity by operating responsibly and sustainably and giving back to the community.The Foundation has collaborated with partners to improve the lives of Kenyans by sponsoring sustainable projects that directly touch their communities.
Safaricom Foundation has helped eight million people in 19 years. They operate in all 47 counties. They have learned from their communities and been adaptable to deliver meaningful philanthropic and strategic initiatives based on their current needs.
They help Kenyans to access quality healthcare, education, skills, and sustainable employment by offering resources, opportunity, hope, and dignity to communities.Their approach intends to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, building on their successful past and collaborations.
Safaricom has prioritised community support and partnerships since its founding.As a firm, they committed to serving their communities before they had the resources they have today.
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About AMREF
Three surgeons launched Flying Doctors of East Africa in 1957, which became Amref Health Africa. After years as reconstructive surgeons in East Africa, Sir Michael Wood, Sir Archibald McIndoe, and Tom Rees devised a scheme to offer medical care.
Amref Health Africa, headquartered in Kenya, is the largest international NGO in Africa, running programmes in over 35 countries. It has learned from 60 years of working with governments, communities, and partners to improve health access in Africa.
Amref Health Africa is committed to improving the health of people in Africa by collaborating with and empowering communities and by building health systems. The organization’s aim is to bring about permanent health transformation in Africa by working with and through African communities, health systems, and governments.