SportPesa Foundation joins hands in encouraging mothers to give birth in hospitals

By , K24 Digital
On Mon, 25 Oct, 2021 10:04 | 2 mins read
SportPesa team and ODM SG Edwin Sifuna delivering equipment to AIC Olasiti Dispensary in Narok.

SportPesa Foundation has teamed up with AIC Olasiti Dispensary in Narok county to advocate for hospital deliveries that are deemed less risky than home births.

To further this agenda, the foundation has donated equipment to the dispensary to sustain its services as women in that community gradually adopt hospital births.

The company has also contributed toward fundraising for the construction of a general ward block to cater for female and male patients.

The equipment donation is part of the organisations support for maternal health across the country.

“We decided to support maternal health earlier this year to help women have access to clean, safe, well-equipped health facilities. The community approached us and we are happy to be here today to donate this equipment to support safe, dignified delivery and more so contribute towards the expansion of this health facility that is a lifeline for many around this area, who have to walk many kilometres just to access proper health care,” SportPesa Chief Finance Officer Mwirigi Imungi said.

AIC Olasiti Dispensary was founded in 1985, by the late Bishop John Mpaayei, as a very modest structure. The community is currently looking to expand the facility so it can meet the demands for health care as it serves a large radius of people.

“Initially this was put up because our people walked such long distances to get help and some would die along the way, be attacked by animals or bitten by snakes. We are now looking to expand and relying on well-wishers to support us build a general ward so we can offer this community better health care,” Julius Pion, the facility’s in-charge said.

“When we started, most women were still opting for the risky home deliveries but with sustained sensitization of the safety of hospital deliveries, the number of women coming here to give birth is growing. We are grateful for the support SportPesa Foundation has given because it will entice more and more mothers to come here for maternity services.”

Since March, SportPesa has supported the maternity units of several health centres in Nairobi, Bomet, Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Kiambu counties. The Foundation focuses its support on maternal care and ending period poverty by promoting menstrual hygiene projects.