Pipeline, is situated in the Embakasi area of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, which is one of the city’s most densely populated areas . A majority of the residents work in informal sector jobs or run small-scale businesses, reflecting the urban challenges and difficult socio-economic conditions they face.
As with other informal settlements in Nairobi, access to quality services such as healthcare is limited. Overcrowding has led to slum-like conditions in certain parts of the area. There is a mix of public, private, and faith-based health facilities; however, despite their presence, challenges in accessing quality maternal health services persist due to overcrowding, resource constraints, and affordability issues.
To address these challenges and improve maternal health outcomes, a non-governmental organisation with roots in China has initiated community-based initiatives aimed at promoting health awareness and improving access to services for those in need.
Link 2 Care, founded by renowned Chinese researcher Dr. Rudong Zhang, with a vision to assist disadvantaged and low-income communities, currently provides health education and ultrasound services using the latest technologies to expectant mothers in the area. Dr. Zhang states that the initiative was inspired by the struggles faced by pregnant women, particularly young mothers without a steady income.
“Link 2 Care was founded with a very clear vision, to bridge the gap in maternal healthcare access for pregnant women in underserved communities. In Kenya, we noticed that maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain high. One of the major contributing factors is the lack of accessible, affordable regular check-ups,” Dr. Zhang explained in an interview with KBC Digital.
Dr. Zhang noted that many mothers only seek medical attention when complications arise, which is often too late. By subsidizing ultrasound check-ups, he believes his organization encourages more mothers to undergo screenings, ultimately reducing complications and saving lives.
“On one occasion, we had 30 mothers visit our facility for screening, and we discovered that three of them had serious complications that required immediate referral to hospitals. The absence of ultrasound services puts them at a disadvantage,” he said.
“Maternal care should not be a privilege; it should be a right. Mothers represent the most vulnerable populations in communities, which is why we focus on them,” he added.
Since it began offering services in Embakasi, the organization has collaborated closely with Level 2, 3, and even level 4 facilities that lack ultrasound machines, as part of its mission to support the Kenyan government’s healthcare agenda.
“Most public hospitals have very long queues for these services. That’s where Link 2 Care steps in, partnering with level 2 and 3 facilities to ensure high-quality ultrasound services are available to the community at the grassroots level,” said Joy Bonareri, the organization’s Operations Manager. She emphasizes that the social enterprise aims to provide affordable ultrasound services to all, regardless of whether they are in low, mid, or high-income areas.
Despite the high demand, Bonareri stated that they limit the number of mothers served each day to 15 to 20 clients per sonographer. This approach ensures that the quality of services offered to the mothers visiting them remains uncompromised.
The organization’s initiatives have been made possible by innovative health technologies from China, designed specifically for women and children’s health. These systems enhance diagnosis and treatment efficiency in obstetrics and gynaecology.
“The equipment we are using for our services is newly manufactured. It was released this year and is portable. The quality of the images it produces is exceptional. From the feedback we receive from sonographers using it, this is the best machine they have ever used,” disclosed Dr. Zhang.
Thanks to the quality health services provided, George Mwangi, a radio sonographer at Link 2 Care, notes that expectant mothers in the area can now carry their pregnancies safely—something that was previously hindered by financial barriers.
“We are privileged to attend to these mothers. The mothers here in Embakasi really need these services, and the demand is significant. It indicates that ultrasound services are needed at the lowest level of care,” he said.
“With the quality of machines that we have, I can confidently say we are equipped to provide them with a comfortable journey throughout their maternal period, from the time they conceive to the time they give birth,” added Mwangi.
Elizabeth Mwende and Lilian Angeyo are among the residents who have benefited from the services offered by Link 2 Care and have only good things to say. The growing number of satisfied beneficiaries describes these services as life-saving.
“I came here because a friend told me about the excellent scanning services. She had come and was very pleased. That’s why I came to check on the status of my baby,” said Mwende.
“The services are good. They explain the importance of scanning and how you can be assisted if your baby has issues in the womb. It helps you to know in advance and prepare for what to do before giving birth,” she added.
Angeyo shares a similar perspective and is grateful that Link 2 Care has set up operations in their neighbourhood.
“This is affordable; that’s why I came for the scanning. Other places are expensive, and I wouldn’t be able to afford them. People usually pay Ksh. 2000 or Ksh. 1500, but here it is Ksh. 800, which I can afford, saving me Ksh. 700. Scanning is beneficial because it will help me understand my baby’s well-being before giving birth,” she said.
The organization, which adopts a community-based approach, also works closely with Community Health Providers (CHPs). They too have observed positive developments in the area since Link 2 Care launched maternal services. Winfred Mainge is one of the CHPs collaborating with Dr. Zhang’s team.
“The main challenge we have seen is that mothers struggle with finances due to the economic situation. They consider Ksh. 1500 to be a lot of money. When we told them there’s a service for Ksh. 800 here at Link 2 Care, many came forward,” Mainge said.
“Link 2 Care supports us (CHPs) and provides training for us as Community Health Volunteers (CHVs). We have had training sessions where they teach us how to reach people on the ground and educate them about the importance of scanning,” she added.
The programme aims to reach underserved populations across Kenya and is part of a broader initiative from the Chinese government to provide medical assistance to Africa. Dr. Zhang stated that the organization’s goal is to reach 200,000 mothers within a year. To achieve this objective, Link 2 Care plans to expand maternal services beyond Nairobi, with clinics set to open in Nakuru, Kisumu, Kakamega, and other counties in Kenya.
“The Chinese government is exploring the potential of public health projects in Kenya and assisting people in informal settlements. Our project aligns with the Chinese government’s plan because it offers a potential model to help people, and through our ultrasound programme, we can easily reach more and more mothers,” he said.
