Effects of COVID-19 on Kenya’s Healthcare System: Healthcare Providers’ Experiences with Maternal Health Services Utilization in Coastal Kenya

The COVID-19 pandemic overstretched health systems in developed and developing nations. Like other African nations, Kenya has a frail system, making responding to the problem. Recent studies during have shown that Kenya’s were either strained their maximum capability or worse handling patients. Therefore, citizens advised not go hospital unless necessary. This advice applies all, including pregnant mothers. article utilized anthropological description of healthcare viewed as cultural system attached particular provisions social institutions forms connections. It is origin, structure, function, significance. In every society, are reality which they embody specific roles relationships between these roles. There dearth information on how providers experienced effects this study addresses for those Coastal Kenya. rapid qualitative data from sixteen purposefully selected charge various departments Kilifi County We thematic analysis textual present our findings. emerged there was diversion resources allocated maternal programs, facilities temporarily shut down due inadequate equipment workers, lack preparation by reduced flow mothers missing scheduled appointments ante- postnatal clinics, mortality increased, resorted traditional midwives deliveries. These findings show services negatively affected. Thus, government needs institute alternative measures continued access pandemics. recommend expanding supporting existing community midwifery model (CMM). For instance, incorporating workers (CHWs) local community, such birth attendants (TBAs), creating centers managed trained communities.