Gaps in adolescent health services exposed as SHARP Project ends

Ministry of Health Head of Family Health Division Dr. Edward Serem speaking during the forum between AtMP, SHARP Project Partners from The Great Lakes at a Nairobi hotel on April 20, 2026. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard].

Gaps in access to essential sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents have come into sharp focus as the Solutions for Supporting Healthy Adolescents and Rights Protection (SHARP) Project comes to a close, with stakeholders warning that rising teenage pregnancies and declining commodity availability are fuelling poor health outcomes.

"SHARP has been focusing mainly on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, which are key priorities for the Ministry. We are seeing gradual progress, but the challenges affecting adolescents remain wide-ranging, from teenage pregnancy and HIV transmission to school dropouts," said Dr. Edward Serem from Kenya's Ministry of Health.