Human Milk Bank at Pumwani Maternity Rescues 1,900 Newborns

Pumwani Maternity and Referral Hospital, East Africa’s largest maternity facility, is setting new standards in maternal and neonatal care, thanks to a combination of modern equipment, improved oversight, and innovative programs like Kenya’s only Human Milk Bank.

According to CEO Christine Kiteshuo, the County has positively impacted service delivery through deployment of Medical officers nurses and consultants which has increased ratio of practitioner to patient for round the clock supervision. This enhanced oversight ensures that mothers and newborns receive timely, high-quality care, especially during emergencies.

“The acquisition of modern equipment for both the theatre and labour ward, coupled with the renovation of the Maternal & Child Health (MCH) unit, has transformed Pumwani into a safer, more patient-friendly facility,” Kiteshuo said.

One of the hospital’s most celebrated innovations is the Human Milk Bank, which has provided life-saving nutrition to 1,887 newborns as of August 31, 2025. The program has also extended its support to sister facilities, including Mbagathi County Referral Hospital and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, ensuring vulnerable babies across Nairobi get access to vital nourishment.

Since its establishment in 2019, the bank has benefited from the generosity of 2,598 mothers who donated breast milk, making it a cornerstone of neonatal survival in the city.

“The Human Milk Bank has become a lifeline for premature and sick infants who cannot breastfeed. Every drop donated gives them a fighting chance at life,” Kiteshuo added.

With nearly 15,000 babies delivered annually, Pumwani continues to cement its reputation as the region’s leading maternity hospital. The reforms spearheaded under Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson’s CEO-led healthcare model have enabled the hospital to restore public trust, reduce maternal deaths, and improve neonatal outcomes.

Plans are already underway to establish another Human Milk Bank at Mbagathi County Referral Hospital, expanding access to life-saving nutrition for more vulnerable infants across the city.