Global Health Leaders Convene in Nairobi for IMNHC 2026 to Address Critical Financing and Policy Gaps in Maternal and Newborn Care

Global leaders at IMNHC 2026 in Nairobi tackle health financing gaps and policy reforms to save mothers and newborns across Africa. Read the latest on the SASA Alliance event.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 5:09 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Independent Newspapers

Nairobi Dialogue Targets Systemic Hurdles in Maternal Health

As the International Maternal Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC) 2026 unfolds in Nairobi, the focus has shifted toward the structural and financial foundations of healthcare. A significant side event titled “Shaping the Future of MNCH Policy and Health Financing for Healthier Mothers and Newborns” was convened at the EDGE Convention Centre on Tuesday. The session served as a strategic forum for a coalition of global partners—including the SASA Alliance, SAMASHA Medical Foundation, and Pathfinder International—to address the uneven progress in Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) across the African continent.

Confronting the Reality of Dwindling Global Resources

The dialogue was underscored by an urgent need to rethink advocacy in an era of shrinking international funding. Sally Njiri, Regional Project Director of the SASA Project, emphasized that rising financing pressures across the region necessitate a more strategic use of limited resources. The participants noted that while clinical solutions exist, the primary barriers to better outcomes are now economic and political. By focusing on strategic investment and country-led priorities, the coalition aims to protect hard-won gains in maternal survival that are currently threatened by global fiscal contractions.

A Cross-Country Lens on Advocacy and Policy Reform

The event provided a unique platform for comparing the advocacy landscapes of Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ethiopia. Patrick Mugirwa, Acting Regional Director at PPD ARO, issued a stark warning regarding the "fragility" of the current advocacy ecosystem. He noted that frequent government turnovers and competing national priorities often lead to inconsistent health policies. To counter this, the Nairobi dialogue explored innovative approaches to domestic resource mobilization and rigorous budget accountability to ensure that healthcare commitments remain insulated from political volatility.