45 per cent pregnancies are unwanted - Nyong’o

By Susan Anyangu

Poor access to contraceptives is to blame for unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions, Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o has said.

It has emerged that 45 per cent of pregnancies in Kenya are unintended, driving up the rate of illegal terminations.

Poor women who cannot afford contraceptives are turning to uncertified herbal medicines provided by unscrupulous dealers, posing potential life-threatening side effects.

Speaking yesterday at a Nairobi hotel, Prof Nyong’o said providing access to contraception continues to be a challenge and warned this is compromising Kenya’s efforts to reduce maternal deaths.

Appeal to donors

"There is an issue of access to contraceptives and we are appealing to donors and partners to offer support to the reproductive health sector. There is also need to create awareness in this area from primary school level. Young girls in their puberty are especially vulnerable," he said

He was speaking during a policy dialogue meeting on reproductive health and HIV and Aids, involving MPs from Africa and the Arab world.

In this year’s Budget, Treasury allocated Sh500 million to family planning, an amount seen as insignificant based on the needs in the sector.

Partners in Population Development Executive Director Harry Jooseery said in the past ten years, investment in the family planning sector has reduced dramatically.

He warned maternal deaths were on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

 

Read all about: abortions Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o

 

 

---