Financing, accountability key to improving maternal, newborn health in Africa – Pathfinder International
The Regional Portfolio Director for West and Central Africa at Pathfinder International, Dr. Amina Dorayi, has called for stronger accountability systems and sustained political commitment among African governments to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Dorayi said this ahead of a high-level policy and advocacy dialogue scheduled to take place during the International Maternal Newborn Health (MNCH) Conference 2026 in Nairobi.
The dialogue, themed: “Shaping the Future of MNCH Policy and Health Financing for Healthier Mothers and Newborns,” will be held on March 24, 2026, at the EDGE Convention Centre.
Dorayi said improving outcomes for women and children across the continent requires more than increased funding.
“For some African countries, advancing MNCH outcomes requires not only increased funding, but also stronger accountability systems and sustained political will to ensure that resources translate into quality services for women and children.
“We must continue to align advocacy, policy, and financing efforts to protect gains and accelerate progress toward equitable health outcomes,” She added.
Earlier, the Regional Project Director of the SASA Project, Sally Njiri, said rising financing pressures across the region require a rethink of advocacy approaches to ensure more strategic use of limited resources, stronger partnerships and greater emphasis on country-led priorities.
Similarly, the Acting Regional Director and Programme Manager at PPD ARO, Patrick Mugirwa, described the advocacy ecosystem for family planning and maternal, newborn and child health as fragile, citing frequent government changes, competing priorities and dwindling resources.
The dialogue will spotlight country-led advocacy experiences and financing priorities from Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia, while exploring innovative approaches to domestic resource mobilisation, budget accountability and policy reform through keynote sessions, panel discussions and interactive exchanges.