By Lucianne Limo
A plan to roll out a family planning campaign received a boost when China donated Sh4 million worth of contraceptives.
Planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya yesterday said the Government was committed to family planning, saying no woman should die while giving birth.
“Family planning dramatically improves the health of mothers and their children. We are handing the contraceptives to the Ministry of Health, which will contribute towards achieving aspirations of Vision 2030,” he said.
He said there was scientific evidence that increasing access to family planning information and services will dramatically improve the living conditions of individual women and their families, especially among the poor.
Church opposition
The minister said this against the backdrop of opposition by the Catholic Church who are against the use of contraceptives. The Chinese government donated 5,000 doses Sino plant contraceptives that will be distributed to government hospitals.
Government statistics indicate the use of long-term contraceptives will avert 26,000 unplanned pregnancies.
Last week, the Catholic Church urged Kenyans to reject the global birth control campaign and instead embrace natural family planning and abstinence. The church in a statement expressed shock that Kenya was among countries that have signed up to a new Sh356 billion drive to promote family planning services.
“At a time when our people are greatly affected by HIV/Aids and preventable road carnage, we cannot go further to condone efforts at reduction of life,” Cardinal John Njue said.
