Mothers Celebrated with Education and Support
To honor Mother's Day, USAID AMPATH Uzima celebrated and empowered young mothers at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Antenatal Care and Well Baby (Postnatal care) units.
The event, facilitated by the USAID AMPATH Uzima's Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) program in partnership with MTRH and Nawiri Recovery and Skills Centre, unfolded as a delightful surprise for the young mothers. Amidst their clinic visits, they were treated to a celebration aimed at strengthening their journey into motherhood, particularly focusing on adolescent young mothers. Other mothers visiting the clinic also participated in the event.
While receiving essential antenatal and postnatal care services, the mothers engaged with the teams, delving into discussions ranging from the importance of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to ensuring safety throughout pregnancy and beyond. Mental health took center stage with discussions enlightening the mothers about various mental health illnesses, their symptoms, and available solutions. They were encouraged to seek assistance, especially concerning postpartum depression and other mental health-related issues. Additionally, a session on nutrition provided guidance on suitable diets during and after pregnancy.
Mary Kipchumba, the PMTCT Manager at USAID AMPATH Uzima, warmly welcomed the mothers, commending them for their consistent adherence to clinic appointments. "We are here today because we deeply value your journey into motherhood," she affirmed, assuring the mothers of unwavering support from the program's leadership in prioritizing care for both mothers and children.
The MTRH Nurse Manager also appreciated the mothers while highlighting the various services offered in MTRH including family planning services, nutrition services and cervical cancer screening among others.
Emphasis was placed on the importance of prioritizing mental health alongside other essential care needs such as nutrition and physical health. The MTRH Nawiri Recovery and Skills Centre will be working very closely with the adolescent mothers through regular education on mental health. Evelyn Too, AMPATH program officer, expressed gratitude to the mothers for their collaborative efforts in ensuring care for themselves and their children and promised continued support beyond the session.
The mothers were treated to tea and snacks during health talk sessions before proceeding to service points for their scheduled appointments. The day culminated in a gifting session where the mothers received hampers containing essentials for both them and their babies, accompanied by customized Mother's Day messages.
The event concluded with group photo sessions and the mothers expressed their gratitude for the initiative. This event underscores the program's commitment to ensuring the holistic wellness of mothers beyond medical care.
