WHO appoints Kenyan scholar to maternal health task force

Doreen Kaura

Kenyan professor Doreen Kaura is among 25 global experts selected by WHO to develop global maternal health standards.

Photo credit: Courtesy

The World Health Organization (WHO) has selected Kenyan professor Doreen Kaura among 25 global experts to develop global maternal health standards.

Prof Kaura is the head of Midwifery and Neonatal Health at Department of Nursing at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

She joins the WHO Task Team on Maternal Health, which is expected to contribute to the development of evidence-based policies, guidelines and practices to improve maternal health globally.

Their responsibilities include synthesising global research, addressing disparities in access to care, and ensuring that maternal health standards reflect diverse needs and contexts.

In a social media post, Prof Kaura said the appointment means not only providing technical expertise but also “championing the voices of women and health providers to ensure that standards reflect diverse contexts and needs.” 

“It is an incredible honour to be entrusted with this responsibility. Being part of a global team shaping the future of maternal health is both humbling and empowering. It reflects not only my personal journey but also the collective efforts of the healthcare professionals and researchers who have supported and inspired me,” she posted on Facebook.

Stellenbosch University said Prof Kaura's appointment to this role was a testament to her distinguished career in maternal and neonatal health. 

With over two decades of experience, she has consistently advanced the field of midwifery and maternal care through her academic work, research and advocacy.

“Her contributions include leading projects that address gender equity in healthcare, promoting disability-inclusive maternal and neonatal services, and advocating for the integration of primary care in maternal health to enhance continuity and coordination. As a co-investigator on high-impact projects, such as 'Gender Equity in Health: Empowering Women through Policy and Practice', Kaura has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for women and newborns,” it said.

“I hope to contribute insights on how technology, policy integration, and capacity building can be leveraged to address systemic barriers in maternal healthcare," the scholar said.

She holds a PhD in Health Informatics, a Masters in Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Health, a Bachelors in Nursing Science and postgraduate diploma in Education and Clinical Research.

She has studied in Kenya, South Africa, Finland, Austria and Switzerland.