Kenya’s reproductive health sector is on a crisis following the withdrawal of significant funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a move that has left millions without access to critical sexual and reproductive health services.
Speaking to journalists, Dr. Walter Obita, Country Director, MSI Reproductive Choices Kenya has urged the Kenyan government to increase domestic funding for SRHR services. He further called for the removal of barriers that hinder adolescents and young people from accessing the services.
“USAID funding has been the backbone of many reproductive health programs. The withdrawal means fewer outreach clinics, stockouts of contraceptives and the shutting down of some community-based projects that many rely on,” said Dr Obita.
On the issue of barriers that hinder SRHR services, he called for an enabling environment, aiming at influencing policy and budget allocations for contraceptive commodities and ensuring communities beyond physical reach benefit from a supportive and responsive health system.
He said the demand for Sexual Reproductive Health services including post-abortion care, maternity and permanent contraceptive methods continue to grow.
He spoke during a breakfast meeting where Marie Stopes Kenya celebrated 40 years of being part of the transformation in the Reproductive Health Sector, with 16 outpatient clinics, Private Sector Network of over 60 clinics country wide, partnerships with the Ministry of Health and County Governments in over 260 public hospitals and collaborations with community organisations.
