County Joins the World in Marking World Contraceptive Day
The County Government of Uasin Gishu on Tuesday joined the rest of the world in marking World Contraception day themed The power of Options-where every pregnancy is wanted* at Sukunanga in Racecourse Ward, Kesses Sub County.
The commemoration aims to promote awareness about contraception, promote the overall health of individuals, promote open discussions in the population about the indications of contraceptives and promote the rights of women and gender equality.
While reading Governor Jonathan Bii’s speech at Sukunanga grounds,Chief Officer for Promotive and Preventive Health, Dr Joyce Sang, said that his administration is working to model a County where every pregnancy is wanted,every childbirth is safe and every young persons potential can be fulfilled.
“I call upon our young people to delay their first pregnancy upto the age of 25years when they will be through with their middle college or university education,”said Bii.
He said according to the recently released demographic health survey report (KDHS 2020) 63% of married women in Kenya use a family planning method,57% of whom use a modern method while the unmet need for family family planning stands at 14% though the demand among married women of reproductive age (15-49 years) is 76%.
“My Government through the Department of Health, working with our esteemed partners will continue providing full range of family planning methods including long term reversible methods and permanent ones such as vasectomy and tubal ligation,”adds Bii
According to Dr Joyce Sang,245 girls aged between 10-14 years attended their first antenatal care clinic presenting their first pregnancy in the County facilities last year
and another 59 of the same age group sought post abortion care services and one died due following complications related to pregnancy.
She adds that in the same year 4669 adolescents aged 15-19 years attended antenatal care clinic for their first visit and one of them died of complications related to pregnancy.
This year’s theme promotes the autonomy,makes educated decisions possible and advances international efforts in reproductive health and family.