The Beyond Zero mission is simple: “No woman should die while giving birth.” The campaign is a flagship maternal and child health care initiative in Kenya, reaching more than 1.2 million people through mobile clinics and medical safaris. Beyond Zero aims to expand access to quality, lifesaving health care across all 47 counties in Kenya, especially for women and infants in remote communities where services are often limited or difficult to reach.

How a Bold Promise Became a National Campaign

Beyond Zero was founded in 2014 by Kenya’s first lady, Margaret Kenyatta. Two months after assuming office, Kenyatta delivered a pledge during her maiden speech for the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA). She vowed to use her platform to fight HIV/AIDS stigma and eliminate discrimination against people living with the disease.

Recognizing the need for stronger maternity services advocacy, Kenyatta launched Beyond Zero with a mission to reduce preventable maternal and infant deaths and eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV. After Kenyatta’s 10-year tenure as first lady, the Beyond Zero mission continues to guide the campaign as it supports women and children across Kenya.

Examples of Care Provided on the Ground

For many mothers in rural communities, long distances to facilities and a shortage of specialist staff restrict access to antenatal, postnatal and neonatal care. Beyond Zero responds by bringing services directly to communities through mobile clinics and medical safaris.

Mobile clinics are fully equipped health facilities on wheels, including trucks or large vans fitted with examination spaces, diagnostic equipment, vaccines and essential medicines. Medical safaris are short-term outreach campaigns in which teams of health professionals visit a specific region for several days to provide specialized services, deliver community education and write hospital referrals. Together, these approaches focus on interventions during pregnancy, childbirth and infancy.

• Infant and Childhood Immunization Services. Routine vaccinations, such as tuberculosis and polio, are provided to newborns and infants to protect them from preventable diseases, particularly in remote communities.
• Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. HIV testing and counseling are available for pregnant women. Those who test positive are linked to antiretroviral therapy to prevent transmission to their infants.
• Cancer Screening Services. Beyond Zero provides early detection screening for breast and cervical cancer among women of reproductive age. The campaign also raises awareness through education and offers referrals for treatment when required.
• Obstetric Fistula Awareness and Referral Services. Women experiencing poverty, malnutrition and limited health care access face higher risks of obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that creates a hole in the birth canal. Beyond Zero works to identify, prevent and refer cases for treatment.

The Scope of Beyond Zero’s Impact Across Kenya

Since its launch, Beyond Zero has expanded from an advocacy drive into a national health initiative. Its impact is reflected in increased service delivery and expanded access in rural regions.

• More than 45,000 households have received free health services through medical safaris.
• Beyond Zero has implemented a Nursing Scholarship Fund for marginalized students from arid and semi-arid counties, supported by the World Bank.
• Advocacy and health education messages have reached approximately 35 million people.
• After coordinating the sensitization of health care workers on obstetric fistula, two counties have employed resident fistula surgeons.
• The percentage of HIV-positive women receiving antiretrovirals increased from 66% in 2013 to 96% in 2020.

Looking Ahead 

Beyond Zero demonstrates how targeted support for maternal and child health can expand access to care across Kenya. Its mobile clinics and outreach services continue to play a role in reducing preventable deaths and improving health services for women and children in remote communities.

– Charlotte Bunn

Charlotte is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr