Beyond Zero Marathon – Beyond Zero initiative is partnering with the Government in the delivery of health services.
Advocacy undertaken by Beyond Zero over the years is leading to policy reforms that have enabled better healthcare especially for vulnerable populations.
Such reforms include introduction of free maternal services for expectant mothers through NHIF’s Linda Mama program and intensified screening for reproductive health cancers.
She was speaking today during the closing ceremony of this year’s Beyond Zero half marathon at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi County.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has taken part in the 2 km section of Beyond Zero’s annual fundraising event attended by thousands of Kenyans.
International Womens Day Event
This years event coincides with the commemoration of the International Womens Day. Beyond Zero’s continues to support the country’s target of achieving universal health coverage.
This year’s marathon was guided by nine advocacy areas including access to quality maternal and neonatal healthcare services, repair and reintegration of women suffering from obstetric fistula and promotion of good nutrition for children.
Others are social inclusion of children living with disability in the delivery of health and education services. Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2021 is also critical.
On International Womens Day, the First Lady said this year’s theme of “An Equal World is an Enabled world” fits into the aspirations of Beyond Zero.
Running for a cause
Participants run for a range of causes including zero maternal deaths, ending female genital mutilation and obstetric fistula. It is also a big cause to terminate early marriage to children. The marathon also aims to raise awareness about healthier health options among adolescents and youth.
This year’s half marathon will help Beyond Zero to continue ending preventable deaths by intensifying medical outreach.
This marathon will help towards ending preventable deaths. Therefore enabling the stakeholders to reach out to many more marginalised and vulnerable communities through four more medical safari’s.
The marathon participants who included several Cabinet Secretaries led by Amina Mohamed of Sports got assurance from the first lady.
The men’s and women’s 21 km races won Vincent Kipchumba and Lydia Njeri respectively. Vincent Yegon and Evelyne Chirchir both won the men’s and women’s 10 km category in the races.
The 21km men and women tri-cycle race was won by Ronald Wafula and Jane Kerubo.
Beyond Zero #BeyondZeroMarathon #IWillRun
Source : Beyond Zero Fan Page
Read More stories : An innovators plea for help