PS Oluga urges shift from commitments to results in fight against maternal deaths

Speaking at the close of the International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference 2026 in Nairobi, Oluga said progress should be judged by impact at the point of care, calling on participants to treat the conference theme, “Moving Forward Together,” as a shared obligation.

He said maternal and newborn deaths — which he noted are largely preventable — remain a key indicator of health system performance, and underscored the need for sustained investment in frontline health workers and quality service delivery.

Oluga also flagged what he described as a persistent gap between policy and implementation, calling for stronger accountability frameworks to ensure resources translate into improved outcomes.

He cautioned against a continued focus on reporting without corresponding results, and urged stakeholders to convert conference deliberations into concrete, time-bound actions.

With fiscal space tightening and external funding declining, the PS called for country-led solutions, sustainable financing and resilient health systems.

The conference brought together global and regional leaders, including policymakers, health professionals, development partners, researchers and civil society, to advance practical solutions aimed at improving maternal and newborn health and accelerating progress towards ending preventable deaths.