Below is a comprehensive, practical checklist for equipping a Maternal (Maternity) Ward, suitable for Kenya and East Africa, aligned with Level 2–5 health facilities.
I’ve structured it so it can be used for procurement, audits, or tender preparation.
✅ MATERNAL WARD EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST
🏥 1. Labour & Delivery Room Equipment (Core)
Furniture & Patient Care
- ☐ Adjustable delivery beds (with stirrups)
- ☐ Labour couches
- ☐ Examination couches
- ☐ Bedside lockers
- ☐ Over-bed tables
- ☐ IV stands
- ☐ Privacy screens / curtains
- ☐ Wheelchairs
- ☐ Stretchers / trolleys
Monitoring & Medical Devices
- ☐ Fetal Doppler / fetal heart monitor
- ☐ CTG machine (Cardiotocograph) – Level 4+
- ☐ Digital BP machines
- ☐ Thermometers (digital)
- ☐ Pulse oximeters
- ☐ Wall clocks with seconds hand
- ☐ Weighing scale (mother)
👶 2. Neonatal & Newborn Care Equipment
Immediate Newborn Care
- ☐ Infant resuscitation table
- ☐ Radiant warmer
- ☐ Neonatal suction machine
- ☐ Neonatal oxygen masks
- ☐ Ambu bags (newborn size)
- ☐ Oxygen concentrator or cylinder
- ☐ Neonatal pulse oximeter
Feeding & Observation
- ☐ Baby weighing scale
- ☐ Bassinets / baby cots
- ☐ Thermometers (infant)
- ☐ Breast pumps (manual/electric)
- ☐ Feeding cups and syringes
🧰 3. Obstetric & Delivery Instruments
- ☐ Delivery instrument sets
- ☐ Episiotomy scissors
- ☐ Umbilical cord scissors
- ☐ Artery forceps
- ☐ Sponge holding forceps
- ☐ Vaginal speculums (various sizes)
- ☐ Suturing sets
- ☐ Needle holders
- ☐ Placenta bowls
- ☐ Kidney dishes
- ☐ Sterile trays
🧪 4. Infection Prevention & Sterilization
- ☐ Autoclave / sterilizer
- ☐ Instrument disinfectant trays
- ☐ Hand-washing sinks
- ☐ Soap dispensers
- ☐ Alcohol hand rub dispensers
- ☐ Sharps containers
- ☐ Color-coded waste bins
- ☐ Linen hampers
- ☐ Disposable gloves (sterile & non-sterile)
- ☐ Masks, caps, aprons
💉 5. Consumables & Supplies
- ☐ Delivery packs
- ☐ Sterile gauze & swabs
- ☐ Cotton wool
- ☐ Syringes & needles
- ☐ IV cannulas
- ☐ IV fluids (normal saline, ringer’s lactate)
- ☐ Oxytocin & emergency drugs storage
- ☐ Catheters (Foley)
- ☐ Sanitary pads (maternity)
- ☐ Disposable underpads
🚑 6. Emergency & Referral Equipment
- ☐ Emergency trolley (crash cart)
- ☐ Defibrillator (Level 4–5)
- ☐ Emergency drug tray
- ☐ Oxygen cylinders with regulators
- ☐ Portable suction machine
- ☐ Manual resuscitator
- ☐ Emergency lighting
- ☐ Ambulance access / stretcher bay
🧾 7. Documentation & Administration
- ☐ Delivery registers
- ☐ Partographs
- ☐ Consent forms
- ☐ Referral forms
- ☐ Patient files
- ☐ Notice boards (education & SOPs)
- ☐ Wall charts (labour stages, danger signs)
🧼 8. Ward Support & Comfort Items
- ☐ Patient beds (post-delivery)
- ☐ Bedside baby cots
- ☐ Bed linens
- ☐ Blankets
- ☐ Mosquito nets
- ☐ Curtains / screens
- ☐ Fans or air conditioning (where applicable)
- ☐ Drinking water dispensers
🛠️ 9. Utilities & Infrastructure (Often Overlooked)
- ☐ Reliable power supply
- ☐ Backup generator / UPS
- ☐ Running water (24/7)
- ☐ Adequate lighting
- ☐ Hand-washing stations at entry points
- ☐ Signage (Labour Room, Postnatal, Nursery)
📊 10. Optional (Advanced / Level 4–5 Facilities)
- ☐ Ultrasound machine
- ☐ Blood warmer
- ☐ Infusion pumps
- ☐ Neonatal incubators
- ☐ Electronic medical records system
- ☐ CCTV (non-clinical areas only)
🟢 Facility Level Guidance
| Facility Level | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|
| Level 2 (Dispensary) | Basic delivery kits + newborn resuscitation |
| Level 3 (Health Centre) | Full labour room + basic neonatal care |
| Level 4 (Sub-County Hospital) | CTG, radiant warmers, emergency care |
| Level 5 (County/Referral) | Full neonatal & maternal emergency systems |
📌 Pro Tip (Procurement Best Practice)
- Prioritize WHO-recommended maternal and newborn equipment
- Ensure KEBS/ISO compliance
- Include warranty & training in purchases
- Stock consumables separately from equipment budgets
