The Challenge

The Lamu Archipelago is one of Kenya’s most beautiful and isolated regions. Its scattered islands—including Lamu, Manda, Pate, and Kiwayu—are home to vibrant communities where access to modern healthcare is severely limited. For pregnant women here, the nearest hospital with maternity services can be hours or even days away, across unpredictable waters.

Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) are the backbone of maternal care in these villages. They are trusted, respected, and present. But they work blind.

Every year, mothers on the islands die from complications that are entirely preventable with basic screening: breech presentations, placental abnormalities, multiple gestations. By the time a problem is visible to the naked eye, it is often too late.

The Solution: A Three-Pillar Approach

In partnership with the Lamu County Government, EKDA (SC041294) and Rainbow for Africa UK (1173982) are launching a comprehensive maternal health initiative to change this reality.

Pillar One: Point of Care Ultrasound Devices

We are deploying portable, rugged ultrasound devices to selected TBAs and community health workers across the islands. These handheld devices are:

• Battery-powered and suitable for off-grid environments
• Intuitive and designed for use by non-specialists after targeted training
• Capable of detecting the major causes of maternal mortality

Pillar Two: Comprehensive Training & Mentorship

Technology saves no lives in untrained hands. We are delivering a structured training program that covers:

• Basic obstetric ultrasound scanning techniques
• Identification of danger signs: breech, placenta previa, multiple babies, abnormal fluid levels
• Clear protocols for when to refer a mother to higher-level care
• Ongoing mentorship and refresher training to ensure skills are retained

Pillar Three: A Connected Support Network

Isolation kills. We are building a digital bridge between Lamu’s midwives and a wider medical community. The TBAs will be connected to a network of:

• Experienced nurses and clinical officers within Lamu County
• Obstetricians and maternal health specialists in Kenya’s major hospitals
• Volunteer medical professionals in the United Kingdom who can provide remote guidance

Where mobile connectivity is weak or absent, we will install Starlink terminals at strategic health posts, ensuring that no midwife is ever cut off from the support she needs when facing a life-threatening complication.

The Partners

• EKDA: A Scottish charity (SC041294) with extensive experience in community-led health projects across East Africa.
• Rainbow for Africa UK: A UK-registered charity (1173982) dedicated to improving maternal and child health through sustainable partnerships.
• Lamu County Government: Providing in-country coordination, regulatory support, and integration with the county’s existing health infrastructure.

The Impact

• Reduced maternal mortality through early detection of complications
• Empowered traditional midwives with skills, tools, and professional support
• Stronger health systems in one of Kenya’s most underserved regions
• A replicable model that can be scaled to other island and remote communities

Join Us

A mother on Lamu should not have to die because no one could see what was coming. With ultrasound, training, and connection, we can give her a fighting chance.