Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has commended Garissa County Referral Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mahat Sheikh Salah for spearheading reforms that have helped Garissa county record zero maternal deaths since April 2026, marking a major milestone in maternal healthcare.
Mr. Duale highlighted the achievement during the opening of the 4th Devolution Sensitization Week at Young Muslim Junior School Grounds on Tuesday.
He applauded the hospital’s leadership and maternity teams for their dedication to safe motherhood.
Duale said “no mother has lost her life while giving birth in Garissa County since April, describing the milestone as evidence that ongoing health reforms are delivering tangible results.”
He commended Governor Nathif Jama for strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare services and improving coordination across the county health system.
The CEO of the Referral facility, Mahat Sheikh Salah has driven vital improvements in maternity care and emergency health services at the county’s main referral facility.
“We have built a system where women can access skilled delivery services around the clock, while emergency referral mechanisms have been strengthened to respond quickly to high-risk pregnancies,” he said.
Mahat said the hospital has invested in skilled medical personnel, expanded specialist services, and strengthened emergency obstetric care to ensure mothers receive timely and quality treatment.
He noted that enhanced antenatal and postnatal care, coupled with improved accountability and continuous quality improvement, have played a key role in achieving the milestone.
“Central to these advancements is a strong culture of accountability and continuous improvement that drives our commitment to delivering high-quality maternal healthcare,” Mahat said.
He added that the hospital’s modernization programme is expanding specialist services and improving access to advanced medical equipment, enabling the facility to manage complex maternity cases and other medical emergencies.
According to the CEO, the hospital remains committed to advancing Universal Health Coverage by providing equitable access to essential healthcare services, from routine outpatient care to emergency treatment, ensuring residents of Garissa receive the same standard of healthcare available elsewhere in Kenya.
The reforms at Garissa County Referral Hospital have strengthened the county’s health system and positioned the facility as the leading referral centre in the North Eastern region.
The hospital also serves patients from Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Isiolo, Kitui and neighbouring areas, offering specialized medical services through partnerships with communities and healthcare institutions.
The facility has continuously invested in modern infrastructure, specialist care and patient-centred services as it works towards building a technologically driven, evidence-based and sustainable healthcare system for the region.
